Continuous Improvement Projects
Tollgate Process
MVA | 2017
1
TOLLGATE PROCESS – DEFINITION
The Six Sigma DMAIC problem solving methodology is accomplished in five phases, or
steps: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. Between a combination of these
phases or steps , a “tollgate” is used to control the problem solving process. Only when the
sponsor of the project confirms that the team has successfully completed the previous
phase(s) the project team passes the tollgate and moves to the next phase(s).
At MVA, tollgates are deployed each after the “Define” and “Measure” phase; after the
“Analyze” phase; and after the “Improve” and “Control” phase – for a combined 3 tollgates.
MVA - 2017
2
THE TOLLGATE REVIEW PROCESS
Notes on the Tollgate Review Process
DEFINE
Define & Measure Tollgate
MEASURE
ANALYZE
Analyze Tollgate
IMPROVE
Improve and Control Tollgate
CONTROL
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 Occurs at the end of each phase – Define &
Measure; Improve & Control are combined
to minimize number of meetings
 A tollgate package is presented by the team
to the sponsor for phase approval
 The tollgate review should be a quick review
of the project information (less than 30
minutes)
 Key participants are the sponsor and the
team lead – team members and
stakeholders are encouraged to participate
3
THE TOLLGATE DOCUMENTATION
For tollgates to be consistent, the following documentation guideline should be used:
-
The Tollgate Cover Sheet: Project name; Tollgate phase(s); Team lead; Date of tollgate
-
Charter (latest update): Problem statement; Business impact; Goal; Scope; Schedule; Team
-
Body of Work: key activities based on current phase(s)
-
Conclusions: Summary of findings
-
Project Risks / Lessons Learned: Risks related to project / implementation
-
Next Steps: Next phase activities; Timeline / scheduling
-
Tollgate Checklist: Key phase deliverables
-
Tollgate Decision: Go; Conditional Go; No Go
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4
THE TOLLGATE DOCUMENTATION
The Tollgate Cover Sheet
-
Project Name
Tollgate Phase(s)
Project Lead
Date
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5
THE TOLLGATE DOCUMENTATION
The Charter (latest update)
-
Problem Statement
Business Impact
Project Goal
Project Scope
Project Plan (Schedule)
Team Members
- Core Team
- Extended Team
- Sponsor
- Stakeholders
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THE TOLLGATE DOCUMENTATION
Body of Work
Improve Phase
Define Phase
Solution Selection; Risk Analysis;
Pilot; etc.
Charter; SIPOC; VOC; etc.
Measure Phase
Process Map; Current Performance Data; etc.
Analyze Phase
Control Phase
Performance Metrics / Data;
Updated Process Map;
Documentation; Control Plan, etc.
Data Analysis; Root Cause Analysis; etc.
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THE TOLLGATE DOCUMENTATION
Conclusions
Summary of findings
Project Risks
Timeline; Implementation;
Mitigation; etc.
Lessons Learned
Project team effectiveness
Next Steps
Next phase activities; Schedule
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8
THE TOLLGATE DOCUMENTATION
Tollgate Checklist
For each tollgate phase, there
is a checklist with key project
deliverable (to be filled out by
the team prior to the tollgate)
The completed check list is
presented to the project
sponsor as part of the tollgate
process (evidence of work
done)
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9
THE TOLLGATE DOCUMENTATION
Tollgate Decision
It is the sponsor’s decision to advance the
project via the tollgate process
Go: The sponsor feels comfortable that the
project is on track and that the team should
proceed
Conditional Go: Team may proceed, but the
sponsor is looking for more phase related
information
No Go: More work needs to be done before
the team may proceed
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Note: A “No Go” is usually evidence, that
the communication between the sponsor
and the team lead / team has been
compromised – there should never be
surprises during the tollgate reviews
10
GENERAL HINTS AND TIPS
 Engage your sponsor weekly – keep the sponsor in the loop
 Set up a recurring meeting with your sponsor
 Schedule tollgates with the sponsor in advance (keep to 30 minutes)
 Don’t use tollgate scheduling as an excuse to slow the project down
 Don’t over-document the tollgate – use the guideline
 Use the “Tollgate Questions” as a guide – answer them
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11
DEFINE TOLLGATE
QUESTIONS
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MEASURE TOLLGATE
QUESTIONS
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ANALYZE TOLLGATE
QUESTIONS
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IMPROVE TOLLGATE
QUESTIONS
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CONTROL TOLLGATE
QUESTIONS
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