Before you lock in the gains, make sure there is something to lock in. This checklist helps you prepare the Improve tollgateA formal review point at the end of a DMAIC phase where the team pauses, presents its data and gets sign-off before moving on to the next phase. Click term for full definition review. Watch the short video, then work with the toolkit PDF: it explains the method, shows a worked example and gives you a blank template to fill in.
Tool video
The short tool video will appear here.
Improve Tollgate Checklist in short
- Go through the checklist. Tick a point only if you have a concrete result.
- Close the gaps. Go back to the matching topic for every open point.
- Prepare a short package. Long ListThe comprehensive, unfiltered list of potential solutions generated for each root cause, before any evaluation. Click term for full definition, Pick Chart or Pugh Matrix, Pre-Pilot FMEAAn FMEA applied to a new solution before piloting it, to anticipate new failure modes it might introduce. Click term for full definition, pilotA limited, controlled launch of a solution in a small part of the process, to validate real-world performance before full rollout. Click term for full definition vs. baselineThe established, quantified level of current process performance for a specific metric (the Y) before any improvement efforts are implemented. It is the definitive benchmark against which all future results will be compared, ensuring the project's success and Return on Investment (ROI) are measured ... Click term for full definition, rollout plan.
- Hold the review. Walk your sponsor or coach through the evidence.
- Get the go for Control. Agree that the solution is proven, trained and sticking.
Key points
- A tollgate is a formal go or no-go.
- Five checks cover the Improve work.
- Close gaps before you move on.
- A proven, sticking fix opens Control.