What is fractional work, actually?

The three modes

Fractional means part-time on a monthly retainer, ongoing. Two days a week, indefinitely. You get a real team member — just not full-time.

Interim means full-time or near-full-time, for a fixed window. Three to nine months. The bridge before your permanent hire.

Advisory is the lightest touch — a few hours a month, usually a monthly call plus Slack access.

When to use each

Use fractional when the work is real but not full-time. Use interim when you need a full-time seat filled while you search. Use advisory when you need pattern-matching more than execution.

What fractional isn't

It isn't consulting. Consultants make recommendations; fractional operators own outcomes. It isn't moonlighting either — good fractional operators pick 2-3 clients and give each one real focus.