A Gemba Walk is a fundamental component of lean management. It describes the personal observation of work to learn more about it. Gemba is a Japanese word that loosely translates as “the real place”, or in business, “the place where value is created”. The Gemba Walk as a concept was created by Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System of lean manufacturing. Ohno wanted to encourage management executives to leave their offices and see where the real work happened. This, he hoped, would build relationships between employees with vastly different skillsets and build trust.
Aspect | Explanation |
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Concept | A Gemba Walk is a lean management and continuous improvement practice that involves physically going to the place where work is done (Gemba) to observe, understand, and gather insights into processes, operations, and workflow. It is a fundamental component of the Toyota Production System and is widely used in various industries for process optimization, problem-solving, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The term “Gemba” is Japanese and translates to “the real place” or “the actual place.” The Gemba Walk provides leaders, managers, and employees with a firsthand understanding of the work environment and empowers them to identify opportunities for improvement. |
Key Components | The Gemba Walk comprises several key components: – Physical Presence: Participants physically visit the workplace where the work is happening, whether it’s a factory floor, office, hospital ward, or any other setting. – Observation: During the walk, participants observe processes, operations, and interactions between workers and equipment. They pay close attention to details and seek to understand the current state of affairs. – Engagement: Gemba Walks encourage dialogue and engagement with employees who perform the work. This includes asking questions, listening to their insights, and encouraging their involvement in improvement initiatives. – Problem Identification: Participants actively look for inefficiencies, bottlenecks, defects, and safety concerns. They aim to identify root causes of problems and opportunities for optimization. |
Application | Gemba Walks find application in various fields and industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, service sectors, and more: – Manufacturing: In manufacturing, Gemba Walks help identify production bottlenecks, quality issues, and opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency. – Healthcare: In healthcare settings, Gemba Walks can uncover inefficiencies in patient care processes, safety concerns, and opportunities for enhancing patient experiences. – Office Environments: Even in office environments, Gemba Walks can reveal workflow inefficiencies, communication barriers, and opportunities to streamline processes. – Service Industry: In the service industry, Gemba Walks help identify customer service issues, process delays, and areas for improving service delivery. |
Benefits | Conducting Gemba Walks offers numerous benefits: – Improved Efficiency: By observing processes firsthand, organizations can identify and eliminate waste, reduce lead times, and optimize workflow. – Enhanced Problem-Solving: Gemba Walks help in identifying the root causes of problems, enabling more effective and sustainable solutions. – Employee Engagement: Involving employees in Gemba Walks fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers workers to contribute their insights and ideas. – Real-Time Insights: Gemba Walks provide real-time insights, allowing organizations to respond quickly to emerging issues. |
Challenges | Challenges associated with Gemba Walks include: – Time Commitment: Conducting regular Gemba Walks can be time-consuming, especially for leaders and managers who have other responsibilities. – Resistance to Change: Employees may resist the changes proposed as a result of Gemba Walk findings, especially if they perceive these changes as disruptive. – Language and Cultural Barriers: In multinational organizations, language and cultural differences may present challenges in effective communication during Gemba Walks. |
Real-World Application | Many renowned organizations, including Toyota, have successfully implemented Gemba Walks as a core practice. Toyota’s executives and leaders routinely visit the production floor to observe and engage with workers. – Healthcare institutions like the Virginia Mason Medical Center have applied Gemba Walks to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery. – Various lean and continuous improvement methodologies incorporate Gemba Walks as a central tool for process improvement. |
Understanding a Gemba Walk
The exact physical place will vary from industry to industry. For a jazz band, value is created in the recording studio. For a pilot training school, value is created in the classroom and the aircraft.
The three important elements of a Gemba Walk
Each Gemba walk must respect three important elements:
Go and see
Management executives from every level of the hierarchy are encouraged to take regular tours of Gemba locations and be involved in finding wasteful activities.
Ask why
A good leader must ask the right questions and also be a good listener.
They must be able to liaise with workers to explore the value stream and locate problematic components.
Respect people
It’s important to note that a Gemba Walk is not a “boss walk” – which often involves direct criticism of the way an employee works.
Executives must focus on collaboratively identifying the weak spots of processes and not the weak spots of people.
Seven steps for a successful Gemba Walk
A Gemba Walk may seem like somewhat of an unstructured process, but a basic framework should be used depending on particular goals and objectives.
Let’s now define each of the seven steps:
Pick a theme
Where will the effort be focused?
Common themes include safety, efficiency, and productivity.
With a theme identified, executives should create a list of thematic questions.
Prepare the team
The individuals who will be consulted must be made aware that a Gemba Walk will be occurring ahead of time.
Importantly, they should be reassured that it is a continuous improvement opportunity and not an evaluation of their personal performance.
Focus on the process
As noted, the main purpose of a Gemba Walk is to observe, understand, and improve processes.
Follow the value stream
The biggest process improvements are often found during handoffs between processes, departments, or people.
It is also beneficial to invite the employees to suggest other possible improvements.
Record observations
Either with pen or paper or digitally.
Resist the temptation to make suggestions during the walk itself – no matter how obvious solutions may appear.
Improvement should be analyzed later with a fact-based problem-solving tool such as the PDCA cycle.
An extra pair of eyes
Where possible, involve a colleague from another department to take part in the Gemba Walk.
Those who are less familiar with the process may have a fresh perspective on any improvements to be made.
Follow-up
Gemba Walk insights must be shared with participants, irrespective of the significance of process improvements.
If improvements have been identified, give notice to the relevant employees and involve them in process changes.
Good communication is vital. This helps avoid a scenario where employees believe that management is using Gemba Walks to interfere or criticize.
Gemba Walk checklist questions
While managers need to be good listeners and ask questions as issues arise, it can also be a good idea to prepare some topics of discussion before visiting the worksite.
For inspiration, the manager can look to the eight wastes of lean manufacturing: defects, excess processing, overproduction, waiting, inventory, transportation, motion, and non-utilized talent.
It may also be worthwhile to consider the 5S workplace management technique as a means of collaborating with employees to better organize the work area.
We have also taken the liberty to list some example questions below arranged into four key categories.
Problem-solving
- How is an error or defect detected when it occurs?
- What are the existing approaches to implementing corrective action?
- What are the most common errors? What is the reason for their frequency?
- Who is responsible for making decisions concerning errors and defects?
- How is the process of error detection and resolution recorded?
Process analysis
- For each process, are standard work practices complete, concise, and able to be reviewed? In this context, standard work involves the identification and communication of issues to discover the most efficient way to perform a task that is known to everyone.
- What methods are in place to ensure standard work has a beneficial outcome?
- Does there exist a smooth transition from one process step to the next?
- Are there training procedures that ensure new employees are trained in standard work?
Innovation
- If the employee was allowed to improve standard work and make it more efficient, where would they begin? Some employees believe standard work is a robotic process that limits creativity and innovation, but the reverse is true since it provides the stable foundation for which further process improvements can be made. What’s more, employees engaged in standard work trust the process and have the mental space and clarity to formulate new and innovative ideas.
- What does the team consider to be important? In other words, what are its priorities?
- Are there any issues or topics that have been overlooked which need to be discussed?
Resource needs
- Do the employees have the resources they need for each process?
- Do they have access to tools that can capture improvement opportunities?
- Similarly, is the necessary inventory available as and when it is needed?
- Are tools such as process maps, control charts, and Kanban boards up to date?
How to derive maximum benefit from Gemba Walks
In the final section we will provide a summary of general Gemba Walk wisdom and best practices:
- The overarching goal of a Gemba Walk is to ensure that leaders help their subordinates adopt a mindset of continuous improvement.
- The presence of standard work procedures can make the Gemba process more efficient and more effective.
- Maximum effectiveness occurs when abnormal process conditions are made visible.
- Remember that the structure of a Gemba Walk depends on the situation and the extent to which lean principles are embodied by the organization. This can make the planning of inspections problematic, but leaders must avoid the temptation to “standardise” the Gemba Walk as doing so will render it useless.
Gemba Walk and Lean Methodology
Gemba Walk is a practice within the broader lean methodology discipline.
Many of these concepts came out from the Toyota Production System.
Gemba Walk and Six Sigma
Six Sigma is also a discipline from the lean methodologies developed around the Toyota Production System.
Six Sigma, in particular, was developed by Motorola, as a key management approach to quality.
Within these lean methodologies, the Gemba Walk is a critical practice.
Case Studies
- E-commerce:
- Understand customer preferences, pain points, and online shopping habits.
- Improve website navigation, user interface, and checkout processes.
- Enhance product descriptions and images based on user needs.
- Software Development:
- Identify user frustrations and challenges within software applications.
- Optimize user interfaces, features, and functionalities.
- Ensure user-centered design and usability.
- Financial Services:
- Gain insights into clients’ financial goals and concerns.
- Tailor financial products and services to individual needs.
- Enhance customer relationships and trust.
- Manufacturing:
- Address the ergonomic needs and safety concerns of assembly line workers.
- Optimize production processes for efficiency and worker satisfaction.
- Reduce workplace injuries and fatigue.
- Hospitality:
- Anticipate guest expectations for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
- Personalize services, amenities, and experiences.
- Create memorable guest experiences that lead to positive reviews and repeat visits.
- Automotive Industry:
- Understand drivers’ preferences for vehicle features and comfort.
- Improve vehicle design, safety, and performance.
- Enhance the overall driving experience.
- Retail Store Layout:
- Analyze shopper behavior and decision-making.
- Optimize store layouts, signage, and product placement.
- Maximize sales and customer satisfaction.
- Tech Support and Customer Service:
- Empathize with customer frustrations during technical issues.
- Provide more effective and compassionate customer support.
- Improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Psychology and Therapy:
- Connect with clients’ emotions, fears, and personal experiences.
- Tailor therapy sessions to individual needs and concerns.
- Foster trust and rapport with clients.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Gauge public attitudes toward environmental conservation.
- Design eco-friendly campaigns and policies that resonate with the public.
- Encourage sustainable behaviors and practices.
- Legal Services:
- Understand clients’ legal needs, challenges, and emotional states.
- Provide legal counsel with empathy and consideration.
- Build strong attorney-client relationships.
- Mental Health Support:
- Empathize with individuals facing mental health challenges.
- Develop personalized treatment plans and interventions.
- Promote mental and emotional well-being.
- Agriculture:
- Comprehend farmers’ concerns, goals, and challenges.
- Develop agricultural practices and technologies that address specific needs.
- Enhance crop yields and sustainability.
- Public Policy and Government:
- Connect with citizens affected by public policies.
- Craft policies that address societal concerns effectively.
- Build trust and support for government initiatives.
- Media and Entertainment:
- Understand audience preferences, emotional responses, and content consumption habits.
- Create content that resonates with viewers and readers.
- Drive higher engagement and audience satisfaction.
- Environmental Conservation:
- Connect with local communities living near protected areas.
- Foster collaboration and support for conservation efforts.
- Address community concerns and promote conservation awareness.
- Parenting and Family Counseling:
- Empathize with family dynamics and individual family members.
- Facilitate communication and conflict resolution within families.
- Strengthen family bonds and relationships.
- Airlines and Travel Services:
- Anticipate travelers’ needs and concerns.
- Enhance in-flight services, entertainment, and comfort.
- Improve the overall travel experience and customer loyalty.
- Social Work:
- Understand the backgrounds, challenges, and aspirations of clients.
- Tailor support services and interventions to meet individual and family needs.
- Promote well-being and self-sufficiency.
- Supply Chain Management:
- Gain insights into the experiences and challenges of suppliers, transporters, and customers.
- Optimize supply chain processes, reducing delays and inefficiencies.
- Enhance customer satisfaction and build stronger supplier relationships.
- Manufacturing:
- A production manager conducting a Gemba walk on the factory floor to observe the assembly process, identify bottlenecks, and assess the efficiency of workers.
- An engineer inspecting a production line to ensure that equipment is properly maintained and calibrated.
- Healthcare:
- A hospital administrator walking through different departments to understand the patient experience, from registration to discharge.
- A nurse conducting a Gemba walk to assess the flow of information and resources in a busy emergency room.
- Retail:
- A store manager observing customer interactions with employees and products to improve customer service.
- A merchandiser examining the layout and arrangement of products on store shelves for better sales performance.
- Construction:
- A project manager inspecting a construction site to monitor progress, identify safety hazards, and ensure compliance with building codes.
- An architect conducting a Gemba walk to assess the quality of workmanship and the adherence to architectural plans.
- Education:
- A school principal walking through classrooms to observe teaching methods, student engagement, and the learning environment.
- An education consultant conducting a Gemba walk in a school district to identify areas for curriculum improvement.
- Office Environments:
- A manager walking through an office space to observe work processes, team collaboration, and the use of technology.
- An IT specialist conducting a Gemba walk to assess the usability of software applications and identify user issues.
- Logistics and Warehousing:
- A warehouse manager observing inventory management, order fulfillment, and material handling processes.
- A logistics coordinator walking through a distribution center to optimize storage and transportation procedures.
- Food Services:
- A restaurant owner conducting a Gemba walk in the kitchen and dining areas to assess food quality, service speed, and cleanliness.
- A chef observing the cooking process to maintain quality standards and identify opportunities for efficiency.
- Automotive Industry:
- An automotive engineer inspecting an assembly line to ensure product quality and identify defects.
- A quality control manager conducting Gemba walks in various departments to improve process efficiency.
- Energy and Utilities:
- A plant manager conducting Gemba walks in a power plant to monitor equipment performance and safety protocols.
- An environmental engineer inspecting wastewater treatment facilities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- Public Transportation:
- A transit supervisor observing bus or subway operations to improve on-time performance and passenger satisfaction.
- An infrastructure engineer assessing the condition of bridges, tracks, and stations for maintenance needs.
- Retail Banking:
- A bank branch manager walking through customer service areas to evaluate the customer experience and identify training needs.
- A financial advisor conducting Gemba walks during client interactions to understand financial goals and needs.
- Agriculture:
- A farm owner walking through fields to assess crop health, irrigation systems, and pest control measures.
- An agricultural scientist conducting Gemba walks to evaluate livestock welfare and farm sustainability practices.
- Information Technology (IT) Operations:
- An IT manager conducting Gemba walks in data centers to ensure server reliability and network security.
- A cybersecurity specialist observing employees’ adherence to security protocols and identifying potential vulnerabilities.
- Aviation:
- An airport manager conducting Gemba walks in terminal areas to assess passenger flow, security procedures, and facility maintenance.
- An aircraft maintenance technician inspecting aircraft on the tarmac to ensure safety and compliance with maintenance schedules.
Key takeaways
- A Gemba Walk is a lean management practice that advocates the direct observation of work to identify process improvements.
- A Gemba Walk encourages upper management to build relationships with employees. This is facilitated by regularly liaising with process workers and listening to their concerns without interjecting.
- To some extent, a Gemba Walk should be allowed to flow in a natural direction. Nevertheless, some initial preparation before following a basic framework of steps is advisable.
Key Highlights
- Definition and Concept: A Gemba Walk is a crucial element of lean management, involving personal observation of work processes to gain insights and improve efficiency. “Gemba” is a Japanese term meaning “the real place” or where value is created.
- Origin and Purpose: Taiichi Ohno, creator of the Toyota Production System, introduced the Gemba Walk to encourage management to observe and understand the actual work processes, fostering relationships and trust between different teams.
- Three Elements of Gemba Walk:
- Go and See: Management observes work processes and identifies wasteful activities.
- Ask Why: Leaders ask questions and listen to workers to understand the value stream and locate problems.
- Respect People: Gemba Walks should focus on collaborative identification of process weaknesses, not individual criticism.
- Steps for a Successful Gemba Walk:
- Pick a Theme: Choose a focus area, such as safety or efficiency.
- Prepare the Team: Notify participants in advance and emphasize it’s for continuous improvement.
- Focus on Process: Observe, understand, and enhance work processes.
- Follow the Value Stream: Identify improvements at process handoffs.
- Record Observations: Document insights for later analysis.
- Extra Pair of Eyes: Involve colleagues from different departments for fresh perspectives.
- Follow-Up: Communicate findings to participants, involve them in process changes.
- Gemba Walk Checklist Questions:
- Problem-solving, process analysis, innovation, and resource needs are key categories for discussion.
- Questions can be inspired by lean principles and tools such as the 8 wastes and the 5S technique.
- Benefits:
- Builds a culture of continuous improvement.
- Enhances understanding of processes and their weaknesses.
- Fosters collaboration and trust between management and employees.
- Integration with Lean Methodology: Gemba Walk is a practice within the broader lean methodology, which includes concepts like Kaizen, Kanban, and Six Sigma. It originated from the Toyota Production System (TPS).
- Integration with Six Sigma: Six Sigma, a data-driven quality improvement methodology, is also aligned with lean principles and practices. Gemba Walk is an integral part of both lean and Six Sigma approaches.
- Goal of Gemba Walk: The main objective of Gemba Walk is to encourage a mindset of continuous improvement and to make abnormal process conditions visible.
- Natural Flow and Preparation: While Gemba Walks should be flexible, some initial preparation and a basic framework can help guide the process effectively.
- Iterative Process: Just like other lean practices, Gemba Walks should be revisited and updated regularly to sustain improvement efforts.
- Value Creation: Gemba Walk emphasizes understanding the real place where value is created, aligning with lean principles of customer-centricity and waste reduction.
What are the elements of Gemba Walk?
The three core elements of Gemba Walk are:
How do you implement a Gemba Walk?
To implement a Gemba Walk, you need to follow these steps:
In which context does it makes sense to apply Gemba Walk?
Some of the areas where Gemba Walk makes sense are:
Connected Agile & Lean Frameworks
Read Also: Continuous Innovation, Agile Methodology, Lean Startup, Business Model Innovation, Project Management.
Read Next: Agile Methodology, Lean Methodology, Agile Project Management, Scrum, Kanban, Six Sigma.
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