---
title: "Phase gated process control"
description: "A quality and planning system that let a distributed freelance firm report real progress and offer fixed prices."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/let-it-go/phase-gated-process-control/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Phase gated process control

> A quality and planning system that let a distributed freelance firm report real progress and offer fixed prices.

Stephanie Shirley's framework, from Let It Go, pp. 77 to 90.

Framework 1 of 7 from [Let It Go](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/let-it-go/index.md) by Stephanie Shirley. Category: Offers and pricing.

## The steps

1. **Divide the project into phases.** Break every project into defined phases.
2. **Check at each phase end.** Double and treble check the work before moving to the next phase.
3. **Report objective progress.** Say 'the job is now 60 per cent done and will be finished in another ten days' instead of 'a few more bugs'.
4. **Offer fixed prices.** Use the precise planning to quote a fixed price, which appeals to the client and to the firm.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: 8. Growing Pains, pp. 77–90

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/let-it-go/phase-gated-process-control.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/let-it-go/phase-gated-process-control-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/let-it-go/phase-gated-process-control.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/let-it-go/phase-gated-process-control-dark.png