Gemba Walk involves managers and leaders physically going to where value-creating work happens to observe processes firsthand. https://eauditor.app/2024/04/17/gemba-walk/ The term “Gemba” means “the real place” in Japanese, emphasizing the importance of observing actual work rather than relying on reports or data It is a fundamental part of the lean management philosophy, originating from the Toyota Production System

1. Gemba Walk

2. Gemba Walk
+ Gemba Walk is a management practice
originating from the Japanese term “Gemba,”
which translates to “the real place” or “the
actual place.” In business, it refers to the
practice of leaders or managers going to the
actual location where work is done to
observe processes, gather information, and
engage with employees

3. What is a Gemba
Walk?
+ It involves managers and leaders physically
going to where value-creating work happens
to observe processes firsthand
+ The term “Gemba” means “the real place” in
Japanese, emphasizing the importance of
observing actual work rather than relying on
reports or data
+ It is a fundamental part of the lean
management philosophy, originating from the
Toyota Production System

4. Purpose of a
Gemba Walk
+ To gain a deeper understanding of work
processes by directly observing them in
action
+ To identify waste, inefficiencies, and
opportunities for improvement in processes
+ To engage with employees, ask questions,
and gather insights from those doing the
work
+ To foster a culture of continuous
improvement by involving leaders in process
observation

5. How to Conduct a
Gemba Walk
+ Make a plan and set objectives for the walk
+ Observe processes without interrupting,
taking notes or recording observations
+ Ask questions of employees to understand
the rationale behind processes
+ Analyze findings, identify improvement
opportunities, and share them with the team
+ Implement changes and conduct follow-up
Gemba Walks to assess their impact

6. How to Conduct a
Gemba Walk
+ The Gemba Walk is a powerful lean tool that
enables leaders to gain firsthand knowledge,
identify waste, and drive continuous
improvement by going to see where the real
work happens

7. How to Conduct a
Gemba Walk
+ Gemba Walk is a lean management practice
that involves going to the actual place where
work is done to observe processes, identify
problems, and explore opportunities for
continuous improvement
+ Observe: They watch the actual work
being performed, paying attention to
details, workflows, and interactions
between employees and processes
+ Ask Questions: Engage with frontline
employees to understand their
perspective, challenges they face, and
gather insights into how things are done
+ Problem-Solve: Address issues or
inefficiencies discovered during the walk,
either by providing immediate solutions or
planning for future improvements

8. How to Conduct a
Gemba Walk
+ Gemba Walk is a lean management practice
that involves going to the actual place where
work is done to observe processes, identify
problems, and explore opportunities for
continuous improvement
+ Support and Encourage: Show support
for employees, recognize good
practices, and encourage a culture of
innovation and problem-solving
+ Gemba Walks are not just about
management inspecting operations; they’re
about fostering a collaborative environment
where everyone is empowered to contribute
to improvement initiatives

9. Organize Gemba
Walk
+ Organizing a Gemba Walk effectively involves careful
planning and communication to ensure that the
objectives are clear and that everyone involved
understands their roles
+ Define Objectives: Determine the purpose of the
Gemba Walk
+ Select Participants: Identify who needs to be
involved in the Gemba Walk based on the
objectives
+ Choose the Location: Select the specific area or
process within your organization where the
Gemba Walk will take place
+ Schedule the Walk: Set a date and time for the
Gemba Walk that works for all participants
+ Communicate Expectations: Clearly
communicate the objectives, agenda, and
expectations for the Gemba Walk to all
participants

10. Organize Gemba
Walk
+ Organizing a Gemba Walk effectively involves
careful planning and communication to ensure
that the objectives are clear and that everyone
involved understands their roles
+ Prepare Participants: Provide any
necessary background information, data,
or context related to the area or process
being observed
+ Conduct the Walk: On the scheduled day,
gather all participants at the designated
location
+ Document Findings: Capture observations,
insights, and any issues identified during
the Gemba Walk
+ Debrief and Discuss: After the walk,
reconvene with participants to debrief and
discuss what was observed

11. Organize Gemba
Walk
+ Organizing a Gemba Walk effectively involves careful
planning and communication to ensure that the
objectives are clear and that everyone involved
understands their roles
+ Develop Action Plan: Based on the findings from
the Gemba Walk, develop an action plan
outlining specific steps to address issues,
implement improvements, or further investigate
areas of concern
+ Follow-Up: Monitor progress on the action plan,
provide support as needed, and schedule follow-
up Gemba Walks to assess the impact of
implemented changes and continue the cycle of
continuous improvement
+ By following these steps, you can effectively organize
and conduct a Gemba Walk that leads to meaningful
insights, improvements, and engagement within your
organization

12. Gemba Walk with
eAuditor
+ By leveraging eAuditor Audits &
Inspections for Gemba Walks, you can
enhance efficiency, collaboration, and data-
driven decision-making, ultimately leading to
more impactful improvements within your
organization

13. Gemba Walk
Steps with
eAuditor
+ Define Checklist and Parameters: Customize the
checklist within eAuditor Audits & Inspections app to
align with the objectives of your Gemba Walk
+ Schedule the Walk in the eAuditor Audits &
Inspections: Use the eAuditor Audits & Inspections‘
scheduling feature to set the date, time, and location
for the Gemba Walk
+ Preparation and Training: Ensure all participants are
familiar with the eAuditor Audits & Inspections app
and its features before the Gemba Walk
+ Conduct the Gemba Walk: On the scheduled day,
gather participants at the designated location and
initiate the Gemba Walk
+ Capture Data and Insights: Use the eAuditor Audits &
Inspections app to capture data, photos, videos, and
notes during the Gemba Walk

14. Gemba Walk
Reporting &
Tracking with
eAuditor
+ Instant Reporting and Analysis: Take advantage of
the eAuditor Audits & Inspections app’s reporting and
analysis features to generate instant reports and
dashboards based on the data collected during the
Gemba Walk
+ Collaborative Action Planning: Use the eAuditor
Audits & Inspections app to facilitate collaborative
action planning at the end of the Gemba Walk
+ Follow-Up and Tracking: Utilize the eAuditor Audits &
Inspections app to track the progress of action plans,
monitor key performance indicators, and schedule
follow-up Gemba Walks as needed
+ Continuous Improvement: Leverage the insights
gained from Gemba Walks conducted using eAuditor
Audits & Inspections app to drive continuous
improvement initiatives within your organization