Definition
The stage review gate in the project flow; the source defines it as "(somewhat) arbitrary points in the project life cycle at which the management team reviews the project"—the arbitrariness is the source's own wording. For Kaizen Events around Toll Gate 2, see also "TG-2 Kaizen / Simplified QFD". Not the same thing as [[gate-review]] (Gate Review): a Toll Gate is a gate in a product development flow (such as APD), while a Gate Review is a gate check in the playbook engine that can stop people.
In detail
A Toll Gate is a review node set in a project process where the management team checks project progress and decides whether to continue, adjust, or terminate. It addresses the risk of project loss of control, ensuring that deliverables at each stage meet requirements before proceeding to the next. Unlike daily management, a toll gate is a milestone-based formal review. The typical output is a toll gate review report containing pass/fail conclusions and action items.
Example in practice
An automotive parts supplier, when developing components for a new vehicle model, set up multiple Toll Gates according to the APD process. At Toll Gate 2, the team presented the product definition and customer requirements analysis, and management found that costs exceeded expectations and required design optimization. After adjustments, it passed the review, avoiding waste in subsequent development.