9AAD104106

ABB Group Guidelines

Issued by department: Date: Language: Revision: Page:

SECRC/AT UW 2003-04-07 en - 1 (11)

ABB Gate Model

Gate Assessment Description and Checklist
Technology Development 1.2

General............................................................................................................................................ 2
Intended Use of these Checklists.................................................................................................2
References...................................................................................................................................... 2
Gate 0, Start Project....................................................................................................................... 3
Gate 1, Start Planning.................................................................................................................... 4
Gate 2, Start Execution.................................................................................................................. 5
Gate 3, Confirm Execution............................................................................................................. 7
Gate 4, Start Introduction.............................................................................................................. 8
Gate 5, Release............................................................................................................................... 9
Gate 6, Close Project.................................................................................................................... 10

Gate 7, Retrospective Investigation of Project...................................................................................11

More information can be found on http://inside.abb.com/gatemodel

httphttp://inside.abb.com/gatemodel

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ABB Group Guidelines
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General
The ABB Gate Model requires projects to be assessed before each gate in order to
prepare the gate decisions.
This document includes the Gate Assessment Checklists that identify items of critical
importance for making the gate decisions.
The checklists are intended to provide the Gate Assessor with information on what is
typically required to pass Gates. In addition, they guide Project Managers in the use of the
Gate Model by identifying issues that are typically addressed before passing each Gate.
The Gate Assessor has the responsibility to report on project status relative to the Gate
Assessment Checklists and to make a recommendation as to the project’s readiness to
pass a gate.
All ABB Gate Model roles are described in reference [2].
The contents of these checklists should be addressed when conducting assessments, but
every organization or project using the Gate Model can tailor them to fit specific needs.

Intended Use of these Checklists

The checklists in this document contain issues of critical importance for making the gate
decisions. The checklists should not be used as a quality assurance tool to check on the
existence of particular documents. Instead, they should serve as inspiration for the
assessor when conducting the assessment and as help for the project manager when
planning the project and preparing for the gate. At each gate the assessor should not only
check that the information is available, but also evaluate if the information is realistic and
reasonable and if the project has the potential that justifies further investment.
The purpose of the assessment is to help the Gate Owner to evaluate the two basic
issues:
 Does the project have a potential to deliver a product/solution/technology that
justifies continued investment?
 Is the project ready to pass this gate?

References
[0] 9AAD104000 ABB Gate Model for Product and Technology
Development 1.2
[1] 9AAD104101 Gate Assessment Description and Checklist,
Product Development 1.2
[2] 9AAD104130 ABB Gate Model for Product and Technology
Development - Role Descriptions

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ABB Group Guidelines
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Gate 0, Start Project

Goal
To evaluate an identified opportunity and to start the project.
When should G0 take place?
When the time is right based on output from product and technology planning.

What benefit will the intended project results deliver to the receiver(s) and
to potential external customers?
What does the target market for the intended project results look like?
Is an overview of development costs and business impact for ABB
available?
Market and
Can the investment be justified?
Competition
Is an overview of the market requirements available?
Business

Is an overview of the competitive situation available?

What is the competitive advantage for ABB with the intended project
results?
What is the intended business model?
Intellectual
Is an overview of relevant Intellectual Properties available?
Properties
Who are the potential receiver(s) for the project results and are they
Receiver(s)
committed?
Do the intended project results fit into the strategic plans and product
Strategic Plans
portfolios of the potential receiver(s)?
What is the main objective and key message of the project from a technical
perspective?
Technical What is new in terms of technology?
Technology

Concept What alternatives for a technical solution are available?

Are the proposed project results based on available platforms?
Is an overview of the technical requirements available?
Are the proposed project results in line with relevant strategic technology
Strategic Plans
plans?
Should the technology be developed internally or should acquisition be
Make or Buy?
considered?
Are resources required for establishing plans identified and committed?
Is a proposal for a project organization available?
Project

Organization
Is an overview of the competencies necessary for execution of the project
available?
Cost and What are the estimated costs and duration for the entire project?
Duration What are the estimated costs and duration until G2?
Risk

Has an initial set of risks been identified (Business, Technology, Project

Risk
Management)?

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ABB Group Guidelines
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Gate 1, Start Planning

Goal
To obtain agreement on project scope and confirm feasibility.
When should G1 take place?
When the scope and requirements are stable enough to make planning feasible.

What benefit will the intended project results deliver to the receiver(s) and
to potential external customers?
Market and Is the knowledge about the targeted market sufficient?
Business

Competition Is an initial business case in place?

Can the investment be justified?
Has the analysis of the competitive situation been updated?
Has the Search on Existing Patents been updated?
Intellectual Has a first Patent Strategy been defined (including analysis of competitor’s
Properties patents versus the proposed technical solution and definition of areas to
protect, with possible key specific patents to file).
Technical
Is an evaluation of the alternatives for a technical solution available?
Technology

Concept
Make or Buy? Is the make or buy decision still valid?
Are the relevant sustainability aspects and requirements identified?
Sustainability Have relevant legal considerations relative to the proposed technology
been analyzed?
Are resources required for execution of the project identified?
Is the project organization in place?
Organization
Are the competencies necessary for execution of the project available?
Is an overview of missing competencies available?
Scope and Is the scope clear enough to allow planning?
Project

Project Plans Are the receiver(s) actively involved in establishing plans?

Are the project requirements stable enough to form a basis for project
Requirements
planning?
Are relevant dependencies between the project and other projects
Dependencies
identified?
Cost and Have the estimated costs and duration of the entire project been updated?
Duration Have the estimated costs and duration until G2 been updated?
Has the risk list been updated?
Risk

Risk Are strategies for dealing with key risks available?

Have risks been analyzed and are initial risk mitigation plans available?

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Gate 2, Start Execution

Goal
To obtain agreement on project plans and on the feasibility of implementing the requirements using the
selected technical solution.
When should G2 take place?
When the requirements are stable and baselined, and the project has been planned.

Are metrics for benefit delivery defined and confirmed with the
receiver(s)s?
Is the target market confirmed with the receiver(s)?
Is a detailed business case in place and is it confirmed with the
Market and receiver(s)?
Competition Can the investment be justified?
Is the Market Requirement Specification confirmed with the receiver(s) and
potential customers?
Has the analysis of the competitive situation been updated?
Business

Is the business model confirmed with the receiver(s)?

Has the Search on Existing Patents been updated?
Has the Patent Strategy been updated? (Including analysis of competitor’s
Intellectual
patents versus the proposed technical solution and definition of areas to
Properties
protect, with possible key specific patents to file.)
Have Patent Applications (First Filings) been filed?
Has an explicit decision been made by the receiver(s) to take over project
results?
Receiver(s)
Are plans in place and confirmed with the receiver(s) for the transfer of
project results?
Is the fit of project results into the strategic plans and product portfolio of
Strategic Plans
the receiver(s) confirmed?
Is the technical objective of the project confirmed with the receiver(s)?
Is the choice of a technical solution confirmed with the receiver(s)?
Is the proposed technical concept based on thorough knowledge and
Technical experience?
Concept Are issues regarding common look and feel of ABB products addressed?
Has the change impact of the proposed project results been identified and
evaluated?
Technology

Is relevant backwards compatibility addressed?

Has the fit of the proposed project results into relevant strategic technology
Strategic Plans
plans been confirmed by the receiver(s)?
Make or Buy? Is the make or buy decision confirmed with the receiver(s)?
Are plans to address relevant sustainability aspects and requirements
available?
Sustainability Are plans to address relevant legal considerations available?
Do the proposed project results conform to relevant internal and external
standards and regulations?
Development Has an appropriate development model been chosen for application in the
Model project?

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Is a resource plan for the project available and confirmed?

Are resources required for execution of the project committed?
Organization Is the project organization confirmed?
Are the competencies necessary for execution of the project available in
the project organization?
Are detailed plans for execution of all relevant project activities available
and have they been confirmed within the project organization and with the
Scope and receiver(s)?
Project Plans Are means for monitoring and control of project progress established?
Project

Is it realistic to execute the project according to the plans?

Are the deliverables confirmed with the receiver(s)?
Are all relevant items in the Market Requirements Specification addressed
in the Project Requirements Specification?
Requirements
Is the Project Requirements Specification confirmed with the receiver(s)?
Is the Project Requirements Specification ready for Change Management?
Are plans on how to handle relevant dependencies between the project
Dependencies
and other projects available?
Cost and
Have the estimated costs and duration of the entire project been updated?
Duration
Verification and Are plans for verification (e.g. release testing) and validation (e.g. piloting)
Validation available?
Has the risk list been updated?
Risk

Are strategies for dealing with key risks confirmed with receiver(s)?
Risk
Are mitigation plans available for all relevant risks?
Are initial contingency plans available for all relevant risks?

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Gate 3, Confirm Execution

Goal
To obtain agreement on the design and to confirm project goals and plans.
When should G3 take place?
When all critical design decisions have been made (architecture, interfaces, prototypes, etc.).

Is the business case still valid?

Market and
Are there any significant changes to the Market Requirements
Competition
Specification?
Business

Has the search on existing patents been updated?

Has the Patent Strategy been updated with proposals of new patents
Intellectual covering the implementation details?
Properties Have Patent Applications (First Filings) been filed?
Have Secrecy Agreements been signed with relevant business partners
and potential external customers?
Are all critical design and implementation decisions made and confirmed
Technology

Technical with the receiver(s)?

Concept Can the technical objective of the project be achieved with the chosen
technical solution?
Are plans to address relevant sustainability aspects and requirements
Sustainability executed?
Are plans to address relevant legal considerations executed?
Has the resource plan been updated?
Are the resources required for execution of the project still committed?
Organization
Are the competencies necessary for execution of the project still available
in the project organization?
Project

Is the project progressing according to plans in terms of schedule, costs

Scope and
and deliverables?
Project Plans
Have the project plans been updated?
Are there any significant changes to the Project Requirements
Requirements
Specification?
Verification and
Are plans for verification executed?
Validation
Has the risk list been updated?
Risk

Are strategies for dealing with different risk areas confirmed?

Risk
Are mitigation plans for all relevant risks executed?
Are contingency plans available for all relevant risks?

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Gate 4, Start Introduction

Goal
To obtain agreement on readiness for validation and confirm project goals and plans.
When should G4 take place?
When the project results have been successfully verified and are stable enough for validation.

Are the project results competitive in the targeted market?

Market and Is the business case still valid?
Competition Are there any significant changes to the Market Requirements
Business

Specification?
Are relevant Intellectual Properties secured?
Intellectual
Have Secrecy Agreements been signed with receiver(s) and potential
Properties
external customers?
Are activities for the transfer of project results executed according to
Receiver(s) plans?
Will the receiver(s) be ready to take over the project results by G5?
Technology

Strategic Plans Does the product still fit in the strategic technology plan?

Has the resource plan been updated?

Are the resources required for execution of the project still committed?
Organization Are the resources for piloting committed?
Are the competencies necessary for execution of the project still available
in the project organization?
Scope and Is the project progressing according to plans in terms of schedule, costs
Project

Project Plans and deliverables?

Are there any significant changes to the Project Requirements
Specification?
Requirements
Have all relevant items in the Project Requirements Specification been
verified?
Have project results been verified successfully?
Verification and
Are the project results stable enough for validation?
Validation
Are the receiver(s) or potential external customers prepared for validation?
Has the risk list been updated?
Risk

Are strategies for dealing with different risk areas confirmed?

Risk
Are mitigation plans for all relevant risks executed?
Are relevant contingency plans executed?

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Gate 5, Release
Goal
To obtain agreement on readiness to release project results to the receiver(s).
When should G5 take place?
When project results have been successfully validated and all preparations for release have been made.

Will project results deliver value as expected?

Is the business case still valid?
Market and
Have all relevant items in the Market Requirements Specification been
Competition
Verified and Validated?
Business

Has the analysis of the competitive situation been updated?

Has ownership of relevant Intellectual Properties been transferred to the
Intellectual receiver(s)?
Properties Have decisions regarding ownership of relevant Intellectual Properties
been made?
Receiver(s) Are the Receiver(s) ready to take over the project results?
Do the project results still fit into the strategic plans and product portfolio of
Strategic Plans
the receiver(s)?
Technical
Has the technical objectives of the project been achieved?
Concept
Technology

Do the project results still fit into the strategic technology plans of the
Strategic Plans
receiver(s)?
Are relevant sustainability aspects and requirements resolved?
Are there opportunities for ABB related to relevant sustainability aspects
Sustainability
and requirements?
Are all relevant legal considerations resolved?
Have all relevant items in the Project Requirements Specification been
Requirements
verified and validated?
Project

Are project results ready for transfer to the receiver(s)?

Transfer
Is there a procedure for feedback and problem reporting in place?
Verification and
Have findings from the verification and validation been resolved?
Validation
Has the risk list been updated?
Are strategies for dealing with different risk areas confirmed?
Risk

Risk Are mitigation plans for all relevant risks executed?

Are relevant contingency plans executed?
Are remaining risks acceptable for the receiver(s)?

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ABB Group Guidelines
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Gate 6, Close Project

Goal
To confirm that project results have been successfully transferred to the receiver(s) and to close the project.
When should G6 take place?
When project results have been transferred to the receiver.

Have the project results been successfully transferred to the receiver(s)?

Project Results
Has the project organization been dissolved?
Evaluation

Business
Are procedures in place to allow follow-up of impact from project results?
Impact
Who will be responsible for G7 and when will it be conducted?
Experience Have experiences from the project been collected for future use?
Collection What opportunities for new technology development have been identified?
What opportunities for process improvements have been identified?

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Gate 7, Retrospective Investigation of Project

Goal
To evaluate the project and the project results.
When should G7 take place?
When the receiver has applied the project results.

Have the project results been used in products that are currently on the
market?
Do the project results contribute to ABB superiority?
Project Results
Evaluation

Has it been possible to develop, manufacture, service and maintain a

product based on the project results?
Is the quality of the technology as expected?
Are the product sales based on the project results as expected at G2 and
Business
G5?
Impact
Have the expectations regarding business impact for ABB been met?
Experience What opportunities for new technology development have been identified?
Collection What opportunities for process improvements have been identified?

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