Phases

IN THIS ARTICLE

Deals are organised into a linear sequence of phases — each containing the scope and schedule for a set of estimates that are delivered together for a specific value (price).

Use phases to break a deal into distinct stages such as Discovery, Build and Run, or to separate different workstreams that have their own timeline and budget. Each phase has its own categories, estimates, scope, schedule and rate card, while the deal overview aggregates totals across all phases.

The first phase is created automatically when you create a deal. You can then add more phases as needed.

View phases

You can view the phases in the deal overview, or via the phase switcher on the estimates, scope or schedule page of a deal.

Summary of phases on the deal overview

Switch (or edit) phases directly from other pages

Managing phases

You can add, remove, reorder and duplicate phases.

A default phase is created as part of a new deal

As you add estimates, progress appears against the target price (if set)

Phase templates

Phases are created from templates that define the categories available within the phase and the rules for each category.

A phase template contains:

• Category templates — the name, allowed resource types, and pricing rules for each category
• Optional section templates — predefined sections within categories
• Default ordering — the tab order of categories

Built-in templates

Estii includes three built-in templates:

• Standard — a simplified structure with Deliverables (fixed effort), Services (recurring products), and Overheads (flexible fixed or recurring costs)
• Classic — matches the original four-category structure (Features, Overheads, Services, Expenses). See Classic template for details
• Blank — a single flexible category allowing all estimate types

You can duplicate and customise these templates, or create new ones from scratch.

Choosing a template

When creating a deal or adding a phase, you choose which phase template to use, or use the default.

• Phase templates are structural blueprints defining categories and sections only
• Deal templates are populated blueprints containing estimates, settings and structure