PhaseStart

PhaseStart is a term used in project management and process engineering to denote the formal initiation of a new phase within a staged workflow. It marks the transition from one phase to the next and is typically governed by defined criteria, approvals, and resources. PhaseStart is distinct from a phase's completion; it focuses on starting activities, assigning responsibilities, and releasing the phase plan and budget.

In practice, PhaseStart occurs after exit criteria for the preceding phase are met, and before the new phase activities proceed. Common elements include a kickoff or launch meeting, the approval of the phase plan, allocation of resources, risk and dependency review, and the publication of phase objectives and deliverables. It may also involve gating or stage reviews to authorize progression.

Phased methodologies such as Stage-Gate or Waterfall employ explicit PhaseStart events to improve coordination and control scope, schedule, and budget. In agile contexts, a similar concept may appear as the initiation of a program increment or sprint planning that signals the start of a new period of work, though terminology often varies.

Critiques note that PhaseStart processes can introduce overhead and delays if criteria become overly rigid. Proponents argue that clear starting criteria improve accountability and traceability, especially in complex programs with multiple teams. See also PhaseEnd, Gate review, and Stage-Gate process.