Looking to learn more about stage gates for new product development? Francesco Pecoraro explains what you need to know to develop new products Companies can integrate Project Portfolio Management (PPM) into the Stage-Gate process using this approach works very well for big firms that operate in mature businesses where the portfolio of projects is pretty static.
Thanks to this approach, companies can review individual projects and make go/kill decisions on each one of them. To add PPM to the Stage-Gate process, gates have to be modified. In addition, resource allocation methods are added into the gates without reprioritizing the entire set of projects every month.
The Stage-Gate process
When it comes to stage gates for new product development, the Stage-Gate method was developed by Dr. Robert G. Cooper is an approach that can be used to make the product development process more effective. It is an effective way to create new products starting from new ideas.
By using this approach, a project is executed through several stages. These stages are separated by “gates.” The gates represent the decision points where executives decide whether or not to proceed to the next stage. This model can be used when developing new products but also when companies need to change processes or make improvements.
At each gate, a decision is made whether to continue the process or not. This decision is based on the information available at that moment and, in most cases, is made by senior managers or steering committees.
PPM and Stage-Gate
Adding PPM into the Stage-Gate process helps to sharpen gate decision-making on individual projects. Senior managers make go/kill decisions at gates by using all information available for each project. At gates, projects are reviewed, one project at a time. During these meetings, projects are prioritized, and resources are allocated. It is important to consider that this is a real-time decision process that is activated many times throughout the year.
This approach is usually used by companies that already have a process for stage gates for new product development in place. Then, these companies add PPM to their gating process in order to support decision-making. This method works particularly well in big companies and where projects are complex and have a long duration.
How the Stage-Gate process changes
When PPM is added to the Stage-Gate process, at gates, senior managers have to make two decisions.
- The first decision to make is a go/kill decision, where individual projects are evaluated using different methods such as financial evaluations (NPV, ECV, etc.), checklists, and scoring model tools.
- The second decision to make is a go/hold decision, where a go means allocating resources to the project. This is also the moment to create a rank-ordered list of projects that helps compare the relative attractiveness of the project under evaluation to the other “active” and “on hold” projects.
So, go/kill, active/on hold, prioritization, and resource allocation decisions are made in real-time during the gate meeting. It is useful to underline that during these meetings, only the project under analysis is given a relative priority level against the others.
To make the decisions we have discussed above, senior managers need to evaluate the impact of the project under analysis on the balance of projects and if the project is aligned to the project portfolio strategy.
Stage gates for new product development: Keep this in mind
Companies can use the Stage-Gate process and PPM to develop new products. Gates are decision points. During gate meetings, go/kill and on/hold decisions are made on projects – one at a time. During these meetings, senior management evaluates and scores each project before moving on to the next stage. As a result of each evaluation, bad projects are identified and taken out, whereas good projects are recognized and prioritized properly. It is important to underline that resource decisions (people, equipment, and money) are also made during these gate meetings.
FAQ’s
How can PPM and the Stage-Gate process be used together?
PPM and the Stage-Gate process can be used together to help organizations make better decisions about which projects to pursue and how to manage them effectively. PPM provides a framework for prioritizing projects and allocating resources, while the Stage-Gate process helps ensure that projects are well-defined, well-executed, and meet customer needs.
How do you determine which projects to prioritize in PPM?
Projects can be prioritized in PPM based on factors such as strategic alignment, ROI, resource availability, risk, and market demand.
How do you know when to move from one stage to the next in the Stage-Gate process?
Moving from one stage to the next in the Stage-Gate process is typically determined by the completion of key deliverables and the achievement of predetermined milestones. A gate review is conducted at each stage to evaluate the progress of the project and determine whether to proceed to the next stage.
What are some common challenges in using PPM and the Stage-Gate process?
Some common challenges in using PPM and the Stage-Gate process include poor project selection, inadequate resource allocation, unclear decision-making criteria, and resistance to change.
How can these challenges be addressed?
Challenges with stage gates for new product development can be addressed by establishing clear decision-making criteria, involving key stakeholders in the process, conducting regular reviews of the portfolio and individual projects, and addressing resource constraints proactively. Effective communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders can also help overcome resistance to change.
