What are the two key decision gates that exist in any project?

The correct choice highlights two critical phases within project management that serve as essential checkpoints for guiding the project's progression and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

The first decision gate, often referred to as the "Authority to Proceed," represents a formal approval point at which stakeholders assess whether the project has met necessary criteria to move forward into the next phase. This involves determining whether the project's objectives, scope, and resources are adequately defined and whether any initial risks have been addressed.

The second decision gate, "Final Acceptance," is crucial as it signifies the conclusion of the project. At this stage, stakeholders evaluate whether all deliverables meet the established success criteria and requirements outlined in the project plan. This gate ensures that the project has fulfilled its purpose and that the outcome is satisfactory before formal closure and handover.

These gates serve as mechanisms for ensuring that a project remains viable and aligned with strategic objectives throughout its lifecycle, allowing for informed decisions based on current knowledge and resources.

Other options describe various project considerations but do not encapsulate the pivotal decision points that govern the movement through the different phases of a project in the same definitive manner as the key gates.