Six Sigma ‘Define’ Tollgate Review (Plus Free Template)

Six Sigma ‘Define’ Tollgate Review (Plus Free Template)

A Tollgate Review will help you determine if the goals in a DMAICDefine, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control – Six Sigma pro... stage have been completed and whether you can move on to the next stage.

A Six Sigma Tollgate Review is like a checkpoint at which the various team members meet with a project ChampionExecutive sponsor of quality initiative projects. and determine whether the work has been performed as indicated in the project plan and whether the objectives mentioned have been achieved.

Six Sigma Define Tollgate Review and Deliverables:
Has the Project TeamPerforms the process improvement tasks. been developed?

• Is the team and project sponsored by a champion or business leader?
• Is the team comprised of SME’s
• Have they had the Yellow Belt Training?

Has the “Project Charter” been developed?
(The following questions should help determine the answer)?

• • Business Case: What are the compelling business reasons for embarking on this project?
    • Is the project linked to key business goals and objectives?
    • What key business processConsists of input, value-add, and output. output measure(s) will the project leverage and how?
    • What are the rough order estimates on cost savings/opportunities on this project
  • Problem Statement (Starting Line):
  • What specifically is the problem?
• • Where does it occur?
  • When does it occur?
  • What is its extent?
• Goal Statement (Finish Line):
  • What is the goal or target for the improvement team’s project?
  • Do the problem and goal statements meet the SMART criteria (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound)?
  • Has anyone else (internal or external to the organization) attempted to solve this problem or a similar one before? If so, what knowledge can be leveraged from these previous efforts?
  • How will the project team and the organization measure complete success for this project?
• Project Scope:
  • What are the physical boundaries of the scope?
  • What is in bounds and what is not?
  • How does the project manager ensure against scope creepProject Scope creep (sometimes known as “requirement creep... Learn More...?
  • Is the project scope manageable? What constraints exist that might impact the team?
• Milestones:
  • When was the project start date?
  • When is the estimated completion date?
  • Is the project currently on schedule according to the plan?
  • Has a project plan with milestones been developed?
  • Is there a critical path (due dates to each phase of the DMAIC) to complete the project?
  • How will variation in the actual durations of each activity be dealt with to ensure that the expected project completion date is met?

Do we understand the Customers’ Requirements?

• Have the customer’s been identified?
• Has the improvement team collected the ‘voice of the customer’ (obtained feedback – qualitative and quantitative)?
• What customer feedback methods were used to solicit their input?
• Have the customer needs been translated into specific, measurable requirements?

Has a SIPOC diagram been produced describing the Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers?

Have you used a Lean tool like the Value Stream Map to Identify Waste in the Process and to help in the Project Scoping process?

Define Stage Deliverables:

• Project Team has been developed and is sponsored by a champion or business leader.
• Project management charter, including business case, problem and goal statements, project scope, milestones, roles and responsibilities, communication plan.
• Completed SIPOC representation, describing the Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers.
• Completed Value Stream Map to show “present state” of Waste in the process and to further scope (If applicable)
• Red flags and recommendations for resolution defined
• Next steps documented
• Approval of report out signed by Project Champion