review-gates

Quality gates are checkpoints between phases that enforce checklists, sign-offs, and decision templates before proceeding. They validate problem statements, requirements, design specifications, risk mitigation, and deployment readiness through auditable records, preventing unverified work from advancing.

Phase gate checklists vary by transition: Discovery gates validate problems; Definition gates capture requirements; Design gates specify architecture and risk mitigation; Implementation gates confirm planning; Deployment gates verify readiness. Each includes relevant checklists, escalation paths, and sign-off templates for that phase.

Quality gates apply across Discovery, Definition, Design, Implementation, Documentation, Deployment, and post-release Debrief phases. Use them to ensure alignment before major transitions, catch misalignment early, and maintain auditable records of decisions and sign-offs throughout the project lifecycle.

Quality gates include clear escalation paths and runbooks for addressing blockers. When a gate checklist fails or sign-off is withheld, escalation procedures define who resolves the issue, decision-making authority, and whether gates can be waived with documented justification.

Yes. Quality gates implement continuous metrics collection with auditable records that span all phases and projects. These metrics track gate pass rates, blocker frequency, escalation patterns, and phase duration to identify process improvements and compliance trends over time.