FAQs

These are a set of questions that people have asked, mainly about applying the project management approach to their normal work situation. We have tried to give what we feel are "best practice" answers but cannot pretend that the answers are definitive.

What is the Gateway Process?

A Gateway process is often used by organisations whose business is highly dependent on projects, as a means of controlling progress from one stage of a project to the next. Thus in the petrochemicals industry, organisations use a gateway process to ensure that the exploration stage is completed to everyone's satisfaction before moving onto the drilling stage.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) developed the Gateway Project Review Process and introduced it across Central Civil Government as part of the Modernisation Agenda, to support the delivery of improved Public Services. The process has been operating since January 2001.

The Gateway Project Review Process applies to construction/property projects, IT-enabled business change projects, projects that procure services and procurements utilising framework contracts.

The Gateway Project Review Process helps the Senior Responsible Owner to achieve their business aims by giving assurance that:

People with appropriate skills and experience are deployed on the project.
All the stakeholders covered by the project fully understand the project status and the issues involved.
The project is ready to progress to the next stage of development or implementation.
There is visibility of realistic time and cost targets for projects.
There is improvement of knowledge and skills amongst DH and NHS staff through participation in Gateway Project Review teams.

Note: the Senior Responsible Owner is a generic title. It means a senior individual who takes personal responsibility for the successful outcome of a programme or project. In construction projects this role is often referred to as Project Owner. In our materials it is the Project Sponsor.

The Gateway Project Review Process looks at the readiness of a project or programme to progress to the next phase at 6 key stages in the life of the project. The 6 stages, or Gates, are:-

Gate 0 - Strategic Assessment
Gate 1 - Business Justification
Gate 2 - Procurement Strategy
Gate 3 - Investment Decision
Gate 4 - Readiness For Service
Gate 5 - Benefits Evaluation

The Gateway Project Review Process comprises a series of short, focussed, independent peer reviews at key stages of a programme or project. The reviews are undertaken in partnership with the project team and all stakeholders. They are designed to highlight risks and issues, which if not addressed, would threaten the successful delivery of the programme or project.

The length of each review depends upon the scope and risk of the project and usually last between three to five days including the preparatory planning day.
The reviews are not audits and are not part of the approval process, but usually coincide with the end of each project stage.
The timing and short duration of the reviews, coupled with the use of existing project documentation, are designed to minimise demands on the project teams and ensure no, or minimal delay to the project.
A confidential review report is delivered to the Senior Responsible Owner, usually on the last day of the review. It is for the Senior Responsible Owner to determine what actions from the review report will be acted upon. It is also for the Senior Responsible Owner to determine whether and to whom the report will be released.

Details of the Gateway Project Review Process, frequently asked questions and associated documentation can be found on the OGC website.