Faseforløpet

Faseforløpet is a term used in Norwegian and Danish to describe the structured progression of a process through a sequence of phases. In this view, a project, program, or activity unfolds in discrete stages, each with its own goals, required resources, inputs, outputs, and assessment criteria. Transitions between phases are governed by predefined criteria or gates that determine whether the work should proceed, be revised, or be terminated.

A typical phaseforløp includes phases such as initiation or definition, planning, execution, monitoring or control, and closure or evaluation. In some contexts, additional or alternative phases exist, such as discovery, design, develop, test, release, and review. The exact naming and number of phases depend on the field, organizational standards, and the chosen lifecycle model. The approach emphasizes planning up front, measurable milestones, risk management, and accountability for phase outcomes.

Advantages include clearer governance, improved risk management, easier progress tracking, and better alignment of resources with objectives. Challenges can include rigidity, slow adaptation to change, potential overlap between phases, and the need for effective decision-making at gate reviews.

Variants of phase-based models range from linear, stage-gate or phased waterfall approaches to more iterative or hybrid lifecycles that retain phase structure while allowing revisiting earlier stages. See also lifecycle, project management, and stage-gate process.