Phase Gate (Stage Gate)
A structured approval review held at the close of a phase to decide whether to continue, adjust, or end the project or program.
Key Points
- Occurs at the end of a project phase to make a go/no-go decision.
- Reviews deliverables, benefits, risks, costs, and readiness to proceed.
- Possible outcomes: approve, approve with conditions, defer, or terminate.
- Typically involves sponsors, governance bodies, and key stakeholders.
Example
After completing the design phase, the sponsor and governance board meet to verify design deliverables, confirm budget and risk exposure, and decide whether to start development. They approve progressing to the next phase with a condition to add two security controls.
PMP Example Question
At the end of a project phase, the sponsor and steering committee meet to decide whether the project should continue, be revised, or be stopped. What is this meeting called?
- Lessons learned session
- Phase gate review
- Daily stand-up
- Sprint retrospective
Correct Answer: B — Phase gate review
Explanation: A phase gate (stage gate) is the formal decision point at the end of a project phase where a go/no-go decision is made.
