A project gating process is a decision-making framework that is used to approve or reject projects at key points in their lifecycle. The gating process typically involves a review of the project's progress, risks, and benefits, and a decision about whether to proceed to the next stage.
The gating process can be used to ensure that projects are aligned with the organization's strategic goals, that they are adequately resourced, and that they are likely to be successful. It can also help to identify and mitigate risks early on, and to prevent projects from continuing if they are no longer viable.
The gating process typically involves the following steps:
- Define the gates: The first step is to define the gates, which are the points in the project lifecycle where decisions will be made about whether to proceed. The gates should be spaced out evenly throughout the project lifecycle, and they should be aligned with the project's major milestones.
- Establish the criteria: For each gate, the criteria for approval or rejection should be established. The criteria should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Conduct the reviews: At each gate, a review of the project should be conducted to assess its progress, risks, and benefits. The review should be conducted by a team of stakeholders who have the authority to make decisions about the project.
- Make the decisions: Based on the results of the review, a decision should be made about whether to proceed to the next stage of the project. The decision should be made by the team of stakeholders who conducted the review.
The gating process can be a valuable tool for managing projects and ensuring that they are successful. However, it is important to note that the gating process is not a guarantee of success. The gating process can only help to identify and mitigate risks, and it cannot guarantee that the project will be completed on time or within budget.
Here are some of the benefits of using a gating process:
- Improved decision-making: The gating process can help to improve decision-making by ensuring that projects are reviewed regularly and that decisions are made based on the latest information.
- Increased transparency: The gating process can help to increase transparency by ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the project's progress and risks.
- Reduced risk: The gating process can help to reduce risk by identifying and mitigating risks early on.
- Improved efficiency: The gating process can help to improve efficiency by ensuring that projects are not allowed to continue if they are no longer viable.