2 tier phase structure can be enable on the advanced tab of company settings. It can either be set as the default for all new jobs:
Or just as an option to be selected on a job by job basis (right at the bottom of the details tab if the company setting above is ticked):
This set up allows for a more complex use of Synergist, giving an extra level to the phases.
Once estimates and / or real costs exist, the option is greyed out and it can neither be selected or deselected.
Costs can not be assigned to a phase of a 2 tier job until at least one stage has been added via the phase level stages tab. You can select all the stages you require and add them together:
You can use quick estimating at job level to create all your time and material estimates for phases / stages. The phases are listed in the UI as normal, and now you have a stage filter that is used to set which stage you wish to assign new estimate lines to.
Once your stages are set up within your schedule you can create estimates and add costs.
In both of these areas (Estimating and Time & Materials) you will now find you have an additional drop down to select the relevant stage. You must select a stage before being able to progress:
These stages then again need to be selected when adding actual time and materials.
Stages can be included on reporting from within the data viewer section.