Gemba Walks
Gemba Walks involve the practice of going to the place where work is done ('Gemba' in Japanese) to observe, understand, and gather insights into the actual work processes and challenges faced by teams.
Goal
The primary goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the work environment, processes, and the challenges team members face, facilitating more informed decision-making and improvements.
Context
Managers often don't have direct visibility into the day-to-day work of their teams because cross-functional teams tend to sit together and work on different aspects of a product. This means that managers may not have a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities present in the work environment. Going to see the actual work through Gemba Walks provide an opportunity to bridge this gap, enabling managers to observe work processes, identify inefficiencies, and engage with team members to gather insights and feedback.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Team Schedule | Understanding the team's work schedule and processes ensures that the Gemba Walks are conducted at the right time to capture the actual work environment. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feedback Points | Specific, actionable feedback on an individual's performance and contributions. |
| |
| Focusing solely on finding faults rather than understanding processes and seeking improvement opportunities. | Not engaging with team members or failing to value their input during walks. | Overlooking the importance of follow-up on observations and insights gathered. | Conducting walks too infrequently to effectively capture and respond to the dynamic nature of work processes. |