Frequently asked questions.
What SAGE is, how SagePM differs from a RAID log, the line between program and project management, the three deployment models and who holds your data, and how pricing works.
Common questions
- What is SAGE?
- SAGE is a four-phase approach to program work: Scope, Assess, Generate, and Embed. A P0 Intake step precedes the four phases, and gates A, B, and C separate approval from execution. Scope frames the problem and the people around it, Assess produces the artifacts and the recommendation, Generate delivers the work through the gates, and Embed verifies the benefit against the original claim.
- What is the difference between a RAID log and a TAP Log?
- A RAID log tracks Risks, Actions, Issues, and Decisions as four parallel lists. SagePM uses a TAP Log instead — Touchpoints, Alignments, Problems — which captures the same concerns but threads them around the underlying problem rather than keeping four separate lists. Actions and Decisions link to those threads, so a risk that becomes an issue stays on one thread instead of being copied between lists.
- What is the difference between program management and project management?
- Project management delivers a single, defined initiative — measured on scope, schedule, budget, and quality. Program management coordinates multiple related projects toward a strategic outcome, and is measured on benefit realization, cross-project dependencies, stakeholder alignment, and governance. SagePM is built for the program layer: the business case, gates, decision rights, and the proof that the work delivered value.
- What are the BEARINGS artifacts?
- BEARINGS is the eight-artifact set SagePM produces across a program: Baseline (Scope and Roots), Engagement (Stakeholders), Aims (Goals), Routes (Options and scoring), Instrument (Scorecard), Navigation (Strategy), Governance (Accountability and Decision rights), and Signals (Measurement plan). They are captured once and linked everywhere, so the thinking lives in the program rather than in scattered slide decks and spreadsheets.
- What are Gates A, B, and C?
- Gates are the approval points between phases. Gate A approves the business case before the program commits real effort, Gate B approves the delivery plan before build begins, and Gate C approves go-live readiness before cutover. Each gate is a Go or Kill decision backed by the evidence the program has already produced, so approval means something concrete rather than a rubber stamp.
- How does SagePM deploy, and where does my data live?
- SagePM runs three ways. Solo Local keeps everything in your own browser. Team — Dataverse stores your data in your own Microsoft 365 tenant. Team — Self-Hosted stores it on Postgres you operate. In every model the application talks directly to your chosen data store — SmoothGrain operates no application database and never holds a copy of your data.
- Does SmoothGrain ever hold or see my program data?
- No. The hosted SagePM web app is a static site — JavaScript that runs in your browser. In every deployment model the app reads and writes directly to your store (your browser, your tenant, or your infrastructure). SmoothGrain does not proxy your data, does not run an application database holding your records, and does not sell, share, or train on your data.
- How much does SagePM cost?
- The Solo tier is free — one active program in your browser, with the full SAGE methodology, every BEARINGS artifact template, and the TAP Log, and no signup. Team is $39 per user per month billed annually, Program is $59 per user per month billed annually, and Enterprise is custom. The Team — Dataverse deployment also requires Microsoft Power Apps Premium (about $20 per user per month, paid to Microsoft) on top of the SagePM fee.
- How do I get access to a Team workspace?
- SagePM is currently in invite-only pilot. Solo Local is available now and needs no account. Team — Dataverse is coming in Q2 2026 and Team — Self-Hosted is planned. There is no public self-serve team signup yet — to start a paid Team or Program workspace, send us an inquiry and we will be in touch, typically within one business day.
Get started
Try Solo Local
Free, no signup, no account. Run one program in your browser — your data never leaves the device.
Open SagePM →Team workspaces
Team and Program tiers are in invite-only pilot, priced per user and billed annually. Tell us about your team and we will be in touch.
Prefer to compare tiers first? See the pricing section on the homepage.