How to conduct a Gemba walk: Here we will discuss the steps that a manager must go through to complete a Gemba walk. Having structure is important during this activity otherwise you could just end up chatting with employees rather than finding problems. Incorporating other Lean manufacturing metho...
Gemba Walks should be regularly scheduled. The frequency depends on level. Rotate area or activity of focus for every walk, such as 5S, zone stability, quality, downtime. The focus shouldmust beon the process and improvement needs! Another important element in a proper Gemba Walk are questions...
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. ...
Gemba walk is not an excuse to spy on employees sleeping on the job, although that is a no-no. A leader on a Gemba walk would ask themselves why are people sleeping on the job, are they overworked, or have they no assignments? Respecting the people working with or for you is just ...
Plus, if employees know you’re looking at a specific process ahead of time, they can come to the table with ideas of their own. Since the goal of a Gemba Walk is to find efficiencies, preparing your team can help you to get more value out of the activity. ...
After this we immediately begin our walk, observing and asking questions focusing on the process. Later, I always circle back to deeper questions of purpose, objectives, and problems. Observing for process and people dimensions means seeking to understand thegemba(whether the specificgembabeing ...
Your questions will also change depending on the main objective -- or changing objectives -- during your walk. What types of questions are asked during Gemba Walks? Some questions typically included on Gemba Walks include: Is there an established process for this specific work? Do you have any...
Interacting with Employees Conducting Gemba walksforces you to get out and spend some time with the front-line employees. These employees are a great resource for helpful information on how to make improvements, what is going right, and even their overall morale. While you can (and should) cer...
How important are employees in the process? For starters, it is necessary to understand that Gemba walk is not same as management by walking around. In this case, the focus is on getting information and being friendly with employees and workers, so that they can offer suggestions. Gemba walk...
Prepare to observe, ask questions, and promote creative thinking among employees. You should also try to approach your walk without assumptions about what you will find. This can be difficult to do, but assuming you already know what the situation is before you see it can prevent you from ...