Initiative Lifecycle
A strategic initiative moves through several stages from creation to completion. This diagram shows the full lifecycle and the actions that trigger each transition.
flowchart TD
A["Admin creates initiative"] --> B["BACKLOG
Admin assigns Owner,
points calibrated or set"]
B --> |"Contributors added
(allocations total 100%)"| C["ASSIGNED
Checkpoint reviews
and point dispensing"]
C --> |"Work stalled / blocked"| D["BLOCKED"]
D --> |"Issue resolved"| C
C --> |"Manager requests completion
(optionally proposes IC bonus)"| PC["PENDING COMPLETION
Dispensing frozen
Awaiting Admin review"]
PC --> |"Admin assigns tier
(Full / Partial / Incomplete)
+ optional IC bonus"| E["COMPLETED"]
PC --> |"Admin rejects
(sends back with feedback)"| C
C --> |"Admin completes directly"| E
D --> |"Admin completes directly"| E
B --> |"Admin cancels"| F["CANCELLED"]
C --> |"Admin cancels"| F
D --> |"Admin cancels"| F
PC --> |"Admin cancels"| F
style B fill:#e0e7ff,stroke:#4f46e5,color:#1e1b4b
style C fill:#d1fae5,stroke:#059669,color:#064e3b
style D fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706,color:#78350f
style PC fill:#fef9c3,stroke:#ca8a04,color:#713f12
style E fill:#bbf7d0,stroke:#16a34a,color:#14532d
style F fill:#fee2e2,stroke:#dc2626,color:#7f1d1d
Status Descriptions
| Status | Description | Who Acts |
|---|---|---|
| Backlog | Initiative created but not yet staffed. Admin assigns an Owner and configures points. | Admin |
| Assigned | Owner and contributors assigned, work is active. Points are dispensed at checkpoints. Scope adjustments may be requested. | Owner (Manager) |
| Blocked | Work is stalled and needs attention. Can be unblocked back to Assigned. Scope adjustments may still be requested. | Owner (Manager) |
| Pending Completion | Manager has requested completion review. Point dispensing and scope adjustments are frozen while awaiting Admin review. Admin assigns a completion tier (Full, Partial, or Incomplete) or sends the initiative back to Assigned with feedback. | Admin |
| Completed | Admin has reviewed and finalized the initiative. A completion tier determines the Manager's completion bonus. Remaining base points are distributed or forfeited. IC bonus may be awarded. | Admin |
| Cancelled | Initiative cancelled before completion. Any dispensed checkpoint points are kept by contributors. | Admin |
IC visibility: ICs can see all non-cancelled initiatives on their "All Initiatives" tab, including status, owner, contributors, and point tier badges. Exact point values are never shown to ICs — only tier badges (Gold, Silver, Bronze) when the Admin has enabled Tiers mode.
Key Rules
- An initiative moves from Backlog to Assigned only when contributors are added with allocations totaling 100%.
- Points must be calibrated (or manually set by Admin) before they can be dispensed.
- Completion is Admin-gated: Managers request completion, and an Admin reviews and assigns a tier (Full, Partial, or Incomplete). Admins can also complete initiatives directly.
- Admin can reject a completion request and send the initiative back to Assigned with feedback.
- While in Pending Completion, point dispensing and scope adjustments are frozen.
- Scope adjustments: Managers can request changes to calibrated points on Assigned or Blocked initiatives. Admin approves, modifies, or denies the request.
- At completion, the Owner can propose IC bonus points and the reviewing Admin can also award their own bonus pool. Each pool is capped at 50% of calibrated total (configurable).
- The Manager earns a Manager Score composed of a Dispensing Score (based on efficiency) and a Completion Bonus (based on the tier).
- Points dispensed to contributors are permanent — no clawback occurs, even if a contributor is later removed from the initiative.