Tools for Innovation Management: A Comparison of Lean Startup and the Stage Gate System

Abstract

This paper compares and contrasts the Stage-Gate and Lean Startup methodologies, both two popular approaches for launching new products and services. Although they were formed in different time periods, build on different theoretical traditions, and have targeted different audiences, there is enough commonality to demonstrate how the two respective methodologies have borrowed from one another and, in turn, might inform each other moving forward. We predict that the two theories will converge over time to form a set of best practices in new product development.