SAFE-SPC · Question #86
Phase-gate Milestones are not a good predictor of project performance.
The correct answer is A. True. Phase-gate milestones are point-in-time checkpoints that measure whether a project has met predefined criteria to advance - but research consistently shows they are poor predictors of overall project success. They can be gamed through optimistic reporting, political pressure…
Question
Phase-gate Milestones are not a good predictor of project performance.
Options
- ATrue
- BFalse
How the community answered
(24 responses)- A96% (23)
- B4% (1)
Explanation
Phase-gate milestones are point-in-time checkpoints that measure whether a project has met predefined criteria to advance - but research consistently shows they are poor predictors of overall project success. They can be gamed through optimistic reporting, political pressure, or selective presentation of data, meaning a "green" gate approval doesn't reliably signal a healthy project trajectory. Additionally, phase gates are lagging indicators - they confirm what has already been delivered, not whether the project will finish on time, on budget, or deliver value.
Option B (False) is wrong because equating gate passage with future performance ignores the well-documented gap between milestone compliance and actual project outcomes; many projects pass every gate and still fail significantly.
Memory tip: Think of phase gates as passport stamps - they prove you crossed a border at a point in time, but they say nothing about whether your trip will be a success.
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