WHAT IS A GEMBA WALK
From the Japanese term
gembutsu
which means “real thing” or “real place”
A personal observation of work
Observation occurs where the work is happening
Interaction with the people doing the work where the work is happening
It’s often an actual walk
Comes from Lean Six Sigma
WHEN IS IT NOT?
Not an opportunity for finding fault with others
Not a time to solve problems or make changes
Not an opportunity to enforce policy requirements
Note complaints but do not act… yet
STEPS TO TAKE
Consider the Four Ws Where?
Where shall I walk?
Who?
To whom shall I talk?
When?
When will I go?
What?
What do I want to know?
EVALUATION SHEET: TAKING NOTES
Possible prompts for you
Process being examined
Description of process
Team and individuals responsible
Average time to completion (if applicable
Average time to whatever comes next
Quality of process or product that comes out of process
Value added by process
Individual feedback and frustrations
LOOK FOR MUDA
Japanese term for
”waste”
Extra steps
Duplicative work
Obstacles to producing product
Think broadly about “product”
Obstacles to an uncomplicated work environment
Operationally
Socially
CONCLUSION
Talk with your mentors
Go with the flow
Use this outside the course
Looking forward to your findings
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