gatebygate

Gatebygate is a governance and security concept describing a structured, multi-gate access framework in which progress through a system requires passing through sequential gates, each enforcing specific criteria. The term combines gate to denote access points with the notion of evaluating conditions gate by gate rather than at a single checkpoint.

Typically, a gate has an owner, defined inputs, outputs, and a decision threshold. Gate results are recorded in an auditable log, enabling traceability and accountability. The framework is applied in software development, data governance, regulatory compliance, and incident response, where risks must be assessed at multiple points.

Advantages include improved risk management, clearer ownership, and better visibility into decision rationale. Challenges include potential bottlenecks, increased coordination cost, and the need for well-defined gate criteria to avoid ambiguity.

Relation to other concepts: Gatebygate is related to stage-gate product development but differs in that gates are primarily risk-based and can be turned off or bypassed under predefined conditions; it shares principles with zero-trust and multi-factor controls.

Origin and usage: The term has been used in industry analyses and governance discussions since the late 2010s, with broader enterprise adoption noted through the 2020s.

See also: stage-gate, gatekeeping, access control, data governance.