Phases and Milestones

Project Management: Phases

• Phases

• Milestones

Phases

• Only certain projects are possible to divide into phases.

• It may be counter productive to divide a project into phases. For example if it is possible for activities to overlap, then there is no point on waiting to get started solely because of ‘phases’.

Milestones

• The completion of a phase almost always results in a milestone.

• Even if a project is not divided into phases it is worth identifying ‘significant events’ to label s milestones

• Milestones can be used to measure project success.

Milestone Characteristics:

• A good milestone should leave no doubt as to whether it has passed or not.

• A milestone should be measurable• A milestone should be meaningful• The best milestones do not need further

definition

The Stage-Gate Process:

• This is a process that many companies implement to ensure project success.

• It’s theory is that at the end of each project ‘phase’ the project will be reviewed.

• If the project does not pass this review then the project will be investigated or even prevented from continuing.

Stage-Gate Example:

Note: an efficient Stage-Gate model should not have more than 6 gates. This is because the project team may end up concentrating on the gate reviews more than on the project itself.

Stage-Gate Advantages:• Allows for early identification of issues or

project failures. This can allow the company to save resources.

• The process provides structure to the project process

• Help prevent project team members persuing personal interests or goal, or ‘pet-projects’ emerging.

Stage-Gate Disadvantages:

• ‘Gatekeepers’, who review the project, can be reluctant to close the project. This is because it can have great impact on a company’s reputation or share price. – Read up on the failed NHS IT Project:

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/18/nhs-records-system-10bn

– Also, consider the Edinburgh Tram Project. Do you think that this project should have been closed a long time ago?

• As mentioned before, Stage-Gate can become counter-productive if more than 6 gates are in place.

• The process can also result in low morale, as project team members may feel that it is likely the project may be stopped.

Further Reading:

• Kerzner, Chapter 2.12• Maylor Chapter 4