General Guidelines for a Stage Gate Review

1. Define the scope of the review (i.e., based on the phase under review)
2. Determine preparations so that documents and other deliverables are ready for the review session
3. Publish the agenda in advance
4. Agenda contents include:
a. Brief Background, overview and/or current status
b. Brief summary of any outstanding issues
c. Describe the project team that worked on the phase and work completed
d. Present/discuss any documents/deliverables for review
e. Explain any changes to the original scope or design since the previous phase, and the impact
f. Discuss the current performance of key elements in the project such as participation of stakeholders (or not), work processes (working/not working), technology (working/not working)
g. Review the current project plan, current and future performance, next steps
h. Discuss contingency plans
i. Q&A, provide feedback
j. Stage Gate approval (or not!)
k. Review and agree upon next steps, assignments, due dates