What are the benefits and challenges of Gemba and Genchi Genbutsu for process improvement?

2 What is Genchi Genbutsu?

Genchi Genbutsu is another Japanese term that means "go and see for yourself" or "actual thing, actual place". It is similar to Gemba, but it emphasizes the need to verify the facts and data by observing the actual product, service, or process. It also implies that you should not only see, but also touch, feel, and experience the situation as a customer or user. By doing so, you can avoid biases, errors, or misunderstandings that may arise from reports, data, or opinions. You can also empathize with the customer's needs and expectations, and find solutions that meet or exceed them.

4 Challenges of Gemba and Genchi Genbutsu

Gemba and Genchi Genbutsu come with their own set of challenges. Resistance and skepticism from those present at the Gemba or Genchi Genbutsu is one common obstacle. People may feel threatened or misunderstood by your observations or suggestions, and doubt your authority, expertise, or intentions. To overcome this, you must communicate clearly and respectfully, explain your purpose and goals, and show appreciation for the work and contributions of others. Bias and distortion is another challenge; you may interpret what you see or hear according to your preconceptions or expectations, or miss important information. To counter this, you need to be open-minded and curious, ask questions, listen actively, use data and evidence to support your findings and conclusions, and seek feedback from others. Time and resource constraints are also an issue; you may need to travel, obtain permissions, balance other responsibilities and priorities, and leverage technology to facilitate observation. To address this challenge, plan ahead, prepare well, set clear objectives and scope, focus on the most critical aspects of the process, and manage your workload.

5 Tips and examples for Gemba and Genchi Genbutsu

To effectively apply Gemba and Genchi Genbutsu, you should define your purpose and goals for the visit. The Gemba Walk is a structured approach to go and see the process at the Gemba, involving following a specific route, observing aspects of the process, asking questions, and taking notes. Additionally, the 3 Gen Principle is a guideline to use Genchi Genbutsu effectively, where three sources of information are used (Genba, Genbutsu, and Genjitsu). This can help you verify and validate your observations and findings. For example, you can use a checklist or template to record your observations at the Genchi Genbutsu.