päävaihe

Päävaihe is a Finnish term meaning "main phase" or "principal stage" of a process or project. It designates the central period during which the core objectives are pursued and the majority of work is performed.

In project management and planning, päävaihe refers to the major portion of a project that follows initiation and planning and precedes closing or evaluation. It is often subdivided into subphases or tasks, but is conceptually distinguished from auxiliary or preparatory steps.

In other domains, such as construction, product development, or research, päävaihe similarly marks the principal period of activity. Decisions, resource allocation, risk management, and performance monitoring are typically concentrated in the päävaihe.

Etymology: pää means "main" or "head", and vaihe means "phase" or "stage". The term is used in Finnish-language sources to emphasize the central importance of a stage. Its exact definition can vary by field.

See also: vaihe; projektinhallinta; valmistusvaihe; kehitysvaihe.