Stagegatetilnærming

Stagegatetilnærming is a Danish term that translates to "stage-gate approach" in English. It is a project management technique used to control and advance projects through a series of predefined stages, each followed by a decision point or gate. At each gate, a decision is made by stakeholders on whether to proceed to the next stage, kill the project, or re-evaluate its direction.

The purpose of the stage-gate approach is to reduce risk, improve decision-making, and ensure that projects align with strategic objectives. By breaking down a project into manageable stages, it allows for regular review and evaluation. Each stage typically involves specific activities and deliverables, and the gate preceding the next stage serves as a checkpoint to assess progress, resource allocation, and potential risks.

The typical stages in a stage-gate process might include ideation, scoping, business case development, development, testing, and launch. The gates are critical junctures where a formal go/no-go decision is made. This structured methodology helps prevent resources from being wasted on projects that are unlikely to succeed or no longer align with the organization's goals. It promotes a systematic and disciplined approach to project management, particularly in fields like product development and innovation where uncertainty is high.