Stage-Gate

Also known as: Stage Gate Process, Innovation Funnel, Phased Development

Innovation management system dividing product development into stages with evaluation criteria (gates) before advancing to the next phase.

The Stage-Gate (or Stage-Gate Process) is a new product development management system created by Robert Cooper that divides the innovation process into stages separated by evaluation criteria (gates) that determine whether the project advances, is modified, or is stopped.

Typical stages: (1) Opportunity Discovery, (2) Scoping, (3) Business Case, (4) Development, (5) Testing and Validation, (6) Launch. Each gate is a decision point where the innovation committee evaluates results against predefined criteria.

Market research is fundamental at the gates: each stage requires market evidence justifying advancement. Concept test at gates 2-3, volumetric forecast at gate 3-4, and product test at gate 5 are typical studies in the process.