1. Continuous Improvement Projects
Tollgate Process
MVA | 2017

2. 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.
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3. The tollgate Review process
Notes on the Tollgate Review Process
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
DEFINE
Define & Measure Tollgate
MEASURE
ANALYZE
Analyze Tollgate
IMPROVE
Improve and Control Tollgate
CONTROL
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4. 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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5. The Tollgate documentation
The Tollgate Cover Sheet
Project Name
Tollgate Phase(s)
Project Lead
Date
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6. 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
MVA

7. The Tollgate documentation
Body of Work
Define Phase
Charter; SIPOC; VOC; etc.
Measure Phase
Process Map; Current Performance Data; etc.
Analyze Phase
Data Analysis; Root Cause Analysis; etc.
Improve Phase
Solution Selection; Risk Analysis; Pilot; etc.
Control Phase
Performance Metrics / Data; Updated Process Map; Documentation; Control Plan, etc.
MVA

8. The Tollgate documentation
Conclusions
Summary of findings
Project Risks
Timeline; Implementation;
Mitigation; etc.
Lessons Learned
Project team effectiveness
Next Steps
Next phase activities; Schedule
MVA

9. 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)
MVA

10. 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
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
MVA

11. 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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12. define tollgate questions
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13. measure tollgate questions
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14. analyze tollgate questions
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15. improve tollgate questions
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16. control tollgate questions
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