Case Studies

Standardizing an Enterprise Technical Stage Gate Framework for a Food Manufacturer

2 minute read

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A food manufacturer was evolving its innovation and product development operating model but lacked a consistent, enterprise-wide framework for how R&D processes should be executed. Catena Solutions led an accelerated process-design engagement to document, standardize, and govern the company’s Technical Stage Gate operating model, transforming fragmented institutional knowledge into a unified, scalable framework.

Project at a Glance:

• 20 Workshops Completed: Facilitated 20 cross-functional Technical Stage Gate workshops
• Stakeholder Feedback: Captured and consolidated stakeholder feedback to refine and validate the framework
• Supporting Assets Linked: Connected 14 templates, policies, and procedures into the operating model structure
• 4 Key Deliverables: Technical Stage Gate Workbook, Enterprise Process Flow Charts, Policy/Template Linkage Structure, and Best Practice Gap Assessment

The Challenge: How Could a Food & Beverage Manufacturer Standardize an Undocumented R&D Process?

As the organization evolved its innovation and product development operating model, it lacked a consistent, enterprise-wide framework for how R&D processes should be executed. Critical activities relied heavily on tribal knowledge, process ownership varied across functions, and stakeholders lacked a common understanding of how work progressed through the development lifecycle.

The organization needed a structured approach to document key processes and establish governance without adding unnecessary complexity or burden to already constrained teams.

The Solution: How Did Catena Design a Scalable Technical Stage Gate Operating Model?

Catena Solutions deployed an accelerated process-design methodology to assess, document, and standardize the client’s Technical Stage Gate operating model. Leveraging industry-leading benchmarks and structured stakeholder engagement, Catena facilitated a series of focused workshops to define and document the future-state framework.

The engagement was led by a Senior R&D and Innovation Executive with extensive experience implementing Stage Gate processes, operating model transformations, governance frameworks, and commercialization programs within global food and beverage organizations.

Our team:

• Conducted 20 cross-functional Technical Stage Gate workshops
• Captured and consolidated 149 stakeholder review comments to refine and validate the framework
• Identified and linked 14 supporting templates, policies, and procedures
• Assessed current practices against industry best practices to identify future-state opportunities

The Benefit: How Did a Standardized Framework Strengthen Alignment & Support Future Growth?

The standardized framework gave stakeholders a common language and greater clarity around process expectations, ownership, and decision-making. Leadership also used the process flow documentation as a shared reference point for cross-functional discussions around responsibilities, project effort, and prioritization.

Deliverables included:

• Comprehensive Technical Stage Gate Workbook documenting activities, ownership, decision rights, and governance requirements
• Enterprise Process Flow Charts visualizing key steps, handoffs, and interdependencies
• Integrated policy, protocol, and template structure to support consistent process execution
• Best Practice Gap Assessment outlining future-state improvement opportunities