Phase review, or Stage-Gate®, is a process with standardized phases. Each phase has a Go/No-Go decision point called tollgate. The tollgate can be an entry point to start the current phase or an exit point to start the next phase (by default in Genius).

Tollgates

In Genius Project, tollgates are special deliverables (milestone) present at the end of phases. 

Tollgates have embedded score cards used to define whether projects make it to the next phase.

Score card 

A document with a list of “success factors” including target score and actual score. 

Tollgate review process

The workflow attached to the tollgate tracks the Go/No-Go decision with the following statuses (below is the default workflow proposed by Genius Inside).

ON-HOLD

Stand-by, evaluation of the tollgate has not started, neither has the phase.

IN-PROGRESS

Evaluation of the tollgate has started, phase has started.

GO

The tollgate is approved, and the score card details should reflect that.

NO-GO

The tollgate was not approved, and the score card details should reflect that. Under these circumstances, the project is also stopped.

RECYCLED

The tollgate was not approved, and the score card details should reflect that. Another round of evaluation will take place.

Phase review tracking

chart

A chart providing visibility into the status of each tollgate and their respective phases for all project based on a phase review process.

The chart is defined in the portfolio setup.

Project evaluation

The primary evaluation criteria assessed throughout the project lifecycle are feasibility and value proposition, often using predefined critical success factors.

Phase review project  template

A complete phase review project template built with the required phases, tollgates, score cards and other relevant content to execute projects based on the agreed process and methodology.