Stage-Gate Process
A product development framework that divides the development lifecycle into sequential stages separated by decision gates, where each stage must satisfy defined criteria before the next begins.
Why it matters
Stage-gate is the dominant framework for managing product development risk. PLM systems are increasingly designed to implement stage-gate workflows natively, enforcing governance through lifecycle state management.
External References
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Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “Stage-Gate Process.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/stage-gate-process