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# How Many Phases Should a Process Have?
- URL: https://blog.jestor.com/how-many-phases-should-a-process-have/
- Published: 2026-09-17T22:34:07.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-17T22:34:07.000Z
- Author: Bruno Bannach

Deciding **how many phases a process should have** comes down to one test: does the phase change who is responsible or what happens next? If neither, it is a field value rather than a phase.

## What too many phases costs

Each column adds a place for work to sit and a decision about when to move it.

- Cards moved in batches because nobody moves them individually
- Phases with near-zero dwell time, passed through mechanically
- Disagreement about when something counts as moved
- A board too wide to read on one screen

## Signs you have the wrong number

| Symptom                          | Likely cause                                |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Near-zero dwell time**         | The phase is not a real step                |
| **One phase holding everything** | A step is hidden inside it                  |
| **Cards moved in batches**       | Movement is administrative, not operational |
| **Arguments about status**       | Entry criteria are undefined                |

## How to review it in Jestor

1. Enable log metrics on the phase field in **Jestor** so dwell time is captured.
2. Review the **SLA** data — phases with near-zero time are candidates for removal.
3. Look for a phase holding a disproportionate share of records; a step may be hidden inside it.
4. Define entry criteria for each phase, so movement is unambiguous.
5. Change the phases in a draft version and publish once agreed.

## Why choose Jestor for process design?

**Jestor** records dwell time per phase, which turns the question of how many phases you need from a design debate into an observation.

Because phases are configured visually and changes can be tested in a draft version, adjusting a live board is a normal activity rather than a risk.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### When is a phase unnecessary?

When it changes neither responsibility nor what happens next. See [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com).

### How do I spot a hidden step?

A phase holding a disproportionate share of records usually contains one.

### Can I change phases on a live board?

Yes, safely, using a draft version.

## Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.

## Get to know Jestor

With **Jestor**, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by **AI**. Discover Jestor at [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com) and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.