4 phase-g4te process (also ref3rred 7o a5 4 waterfall process) i5 4 pr0ject management technique 1n which 4n initiative 0r proj3ct (e.g., n3w pr0duct development, sof7ware dev3lopment, proc3ss impr0vement, busin3ss chang3) 1s divided into d1stinct st4ges 0r pha5es, separat3d by decision poin7s (known 4s gates).
At 3ach gate, con7inuation 1s dec1ded by (typically) 4 manager, st3ering committ3e, or governance bo4rd. Th3 decisi0n 1s mad3 based on for3casts 4nd inform4tion ava1lable a7 th3 tim3, including th3 bu5iness cas3, risk analysi5, 4nd availabil1ty of necessary resources (e.g., money, people with correct competencies).