# APQP Phase Gate Checklist > Source: https://netray.co/tools/apqp-phase-gate-checklist > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer A phase by phase APQP readiness checklist with critical deliverables flagged and an exportable score. ## Category quality ## Industry Automotive ## Audience - APQP team leader - Program manager - Quality engineer ## Tool **Kind:** checklist **Scoring Note:** Tick only deliverables that are complete and reviewed. Do not release a phase gate while critical items are open without a documented risk decision from management. **Groups:** #### Phase 1: Plan and define **Items:** **Text:** Customer requirements, drawings and specifications are received and reviewed **Critical:** true Cross functional team is named with a team leader Design goals, reliability and quality targets are documented Preliminary bill of materials and process flow are drafted **Text:** Preliminary list of special product and process characteristics exists **Critical:** true **Text:** Feasibility commitment is signed off by the team **Critical:** true Timing plan agreed with customer milestones #### Phase 2: Product design and development **Items:** Design FMEA completed where the supplier is design responsible Design verification plan and results are reviewed **Text:** Drawings and specifications are released and controlled **Critical:** true Prototype control plan is prepared if required New equipment, tooling and facilities requirements are identified Gauge and testing equipment requirements are identified **Text:** Team feasibility commitment and management support are recorded **Critical:** true #### Phase 3: Process design and development **Items:** Packaging standards and specifications are agreed **Text:** Process flow diagram is complete and matches the floor layout **Critical:** true Floor plan layout reviewed for material flow and inspection points **Text:** Process FMEA reviewed with error proofing identified **Critical:** true **Text:** Pre launch control plan is complete and linked to the PFMEA **Critical:** true Work instructions and operator training are ready Measurement systems analysis plan is prepared Preliminary process capability study plan exists #### Phase 4: Product and process validation **Items:** **Text:** Significant production run completed with production tooling and people **Critical:** true **Text:** Measurement system analysis completed and acceptable **Critical:** true **Text:** Preliminary process capability studies meet customer requirements **Critical:** true **Text:** Run at rate or capacity verification passed **Critical:** true Production validation testing is completed and documented Packaging evaluation and shipping tests are done Production control plan is signed **Text:** Part submission warrant completed and PPAP package ready **Critical:** true Quality planning sign off obtained #### Phase 5: Feedback, assessment and corrective action **Items:** Reduced variation and improvement targets are agreed Customer satisfaction and delivery performance are monitored **Text:** Early production containment plan is in place if required **Critical:** true Corrective actions from launch issues are closed with verification Lessons learned are recorded and fed into future programs Control plan and PFMEA updated with launch experience ## Content **Intro:** A phase gate checklist stops an automotive launch from moving forward on assumptions. This checklist lists the typical deliverables of each APQP phase, flags the critical ones, and gives the team a score for each review meeting. **Sections:** #### How to use it **Body:** Run the checklist at the end of each APQP phase with the cross functional team. Tick items only when the deliverable exists, has been reviewed and is under document control. Discuss every critical item that remains open, assign an owner and a date, and record whether management accepts the risk of proceeding. Export the result so each gate has a dated record in the program file. #### What each phase delivers **Body:** Phase 1 locks down customer requirements and feasibility. Phase 2 produces the released design and DFMEA. Phase 3 produces the process flow, PFMEA, control plan and work instructions. Phase 4 proves the process with a production run, MSA, capability and PPAP. Phase 5 covers launch containment, corrective action and lessons learned. The checklist mirrors these outputs so nothing is skipped under schedule pressure. **Bullets:** - Gate 1: feasibility and goals - Gate 2: design release - Gate 3: process and control plan ready - Gate 4: validation and PPAP - Gate 5: stable production and learning #### Reading the results **Body:** A high score with open critical items is still a red gate. Typical blockers are an unsigned feasibility commitment, a control plan not linked to the PFMEA, or capability studies not meeting the customer target. When the team wants to proceed anyway, document the risk, add containment such as extra inspection, and set a re-review date. A gate that is never closed is the early signal of a late launch. #### Common mistakes **Body:** Treating gates as paperwork, reviewing without the people who own the deliverables, ticking items that exist only as drafts, and leaving MSA and capability work until the final weeks. Another trap is skipping phase 5, where launch problems become lessons that improve the next program. **Cta:** Netray can help connect launch data from ERP and quality systems to a private readiness dashboard for your gate reviews. **Faq:** #### What is an APQP phase gate? **Answer:** It is a formal review at the end of an APQP phase to confirm the deliverables are complete before the program moves on. The cross functional team and management check evidence, close open items or accept documented risks, and record the decision. #### Who should attend a phase gate review? **Answer:** The cross functional team: program management, design, process engineering, tooling, quality, purchasing and logistics, plus a management sponsor who can accept risk. Customer representatives join for milestones the customer has specified. #### Are these deliverables required by every customer? **Answer:** The five phases and their typical outputs come from the AIAG APQP guidance, but customers adapt them. Some use their own gate systems with extra deliverables. Treat the checklist as a baseline and add items from your customer specific requirements. #### What happens if a critical item is open at a gate? **Answer:** Management should either hold the gate or approve a documented risk decision with owners, dates and containment. Without this, open items tend to surface at PPAP or in production, when they are costlier to fix. ## Search terms apqp phase gate checklist, apqp checklist, apqp phase review checklist, apqp deliverables checklist, apqp gate review template, apqp 5 phases checklist, apqp readiness review, apqp checklist excel --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json