Stage-Gate Process
Abstract
The Stage-Gate Process (also referred to as Phase-Gate Process) is a project management tool, dividing the time horizon of a project into several information-gathering stages. These stages are separated by so-called gates, which represent go/kill/recycle decisions regarding the project. A Stage-Gate Process is complementary to project evaluation methods that, for example, analyze resource availability, project-related risks or costs and benefits of the project. The process can be used in most project-related contexts, but gained a lot attention in the field of new product development.
The concept was introduced by Cooper (1986) in his book 'Winning At New Products'. Cooper's idea was to optimize the project portfolio management capabilities of companies, by using a formalized decision-making approach regarding go/kill decisions [1]. The central background of the Stage-Gate Process is rooted in the concept of limited resources (e.g. time, money & capital goods). To make effective use of the available resources, a firm has to manage its project portfolio in a manner that only the most promising/beneficial projects are put through. Regular Stage-Gate Processes includes 4 to 8 stages, and allows stages to be performed in parallel [2] The evaluation criteria at each gate are discussed upfront with the project group and are acted upon by the gatekeeper.
In the last 30 years Cooper invested a lot time in developing the Stage-Gate concept. His research created a huge support from both the academic as well as the industrial world regarding the Stage-Gate Process. Big companies, like Procter & Gamble (P&G) and 3M, have adopted the Stage-Gate Process to formalize their projects and have positively experienced the benefits of adopting the method [3]. One of the most recent developments is the definition of the concept called The Agile-Stage-Gate Hybrid Model, which combines the concepts of the Stage-Gate Process with elements introduced in Agile Project Management[4]
References
- ↑ Cooper, R.G. (1986). Winning At New Products. Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0201136651
- ↑ O'Connor, P. (1994). From Experience; Implementing Stage-Gate Process: A Multi-Company Perspective. Journal of Product innovation Management. Vol 11. pp 183-200
- ↑ Cooper, R.G. (2008). Perspective: The Stage-Gate Idea-to-Launch Process — Update What’s New, and NexGen Systems, Product Development & Management Association, Journal of Product Innovation Management. Vol. 25. pp 213–232
- ↑ Cooper, R.G. (2016). From Experience: The Agile–Stage-Gate Hybrid Model: A Promising New Approach and a New Research Opportunity. Journal of Product Innovation Management. Vol 33. Iss 5. pp 513–526
