Phasesplanning

Phasesplanning refers to a structured approach in project management that organizes work into sequential or overlapping phases, with planning performed for each phase and governance checkpoints between phases. The method emphasizes defining objectives, deliverables, and exit criteria for every phase, and aligning resources, schedule, and risk responses accordingly. Plans are revisited at phase boundaries to reflect new information, changes in scope, or updated assumptions.

Key elements include phase definition with scope and objectives, entry and exit criteria, phase-specific plans, dependency mapping, risk management, resource allocation, governance structures, and change control. The process typically follows a phased lifecycle: initiation or concept, feasibility and scoping, design or development, testing, deployment, and operation or maintenance. Some implementations employ stage gates or milestone reviews between phases to authorize progression. Phases can be time-bound, deliverable-driven, or risk-managed, depending on domain.

Process: begin with project objectives, then define the set of phases and their objectives; develop detailed plans for each phase; identify deliverables and criteria for completion; assign roles and resources; establish governance and review points; monitor progress and adjust plans; at each gate decide to continue, revise, or terminate.

Benefits include improved clarity and accountability, better risk management, staged funding and budgeting, easier scope control, and clearer stakeholder alignment. Challenges involve overhead and governance demands, potential rigidity, inter-phase dependencies that create delays, and the need for strong communication and change management.

Applications span software development, construction, product development, research projects, and organizational change initiatives. Related concepts include stage-gate processes, phased or gated project management, and the broader family of iterative, waterfall, or incremental models.