How do you follow up and implement the improvements identified from a gemba walk?

Planning and preparation transform the gemba walk from a mere observational activity into a robust diagnostic and improvement tool. This allows for a deeper and more focused analysis of operational processes, facilitating the identification of optimization opportunities and the effective implementation of continuous improvement strategies.

If you haven’t come across gemba walks, it is about visiting a location where customer value is added to your services or products. The general concept is around seeing the realities of your organization first hand, but as a leader, not making it a ‘royal visit’. Typical focuses could be: safety focus, wellbeing focus, strategy deployment confirmation, issue investigation, reviewing a test of change, conducting a waste walk, seeking to understand variation etc. Thinking about what questions you will be asking to be curious and show support, whilst developing your understanding of the system/issue is a key goal. Generally asking ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘what’ questions rather than ‘why’ questions will be seen as less challenging and more curious.

To follow up on a Gemba walk, prioritize identified issues, assign ownership for each action, and set clear deadlines. Regularly track progress through follow-up meetings, provide necessary resources, and ensure timely implementation. Celebrate successes and communicate results to reinforce a culture of continuous improvement.

Ein Gemba-Walk ist eine wichtige Methode, um direkt im Arbeitsbereich Prozesse zu beobachten, Probleme zu identifizieren und mit den Mitarbeitern zu sprechen. In der Vorbereitungsphase sollten Sie ein Team zusammenstellen, das am Gemba-Walk teilnimmt. Dieses Team k?nnte aus Führungskr?ften, Prozessingenieuren und Vertretern der betroffenen Abteilungen bestehen. W?hlen Sie dann den Bereich aus, den Sie beobachten m?chten. Dies k?nnte ein bestimmter Produktionsabschnitt, ein Lagerbereich oder ein Verwaltungsbereich sein. Bereiten Sie sich gut vor, indem Sie sich über die aktuellen Prozesse und eventuell vorhandene Probleme informieren.

Sin duda las caminatas gemba son muy utiles, pero para esto, al momento de planearlas y prepararlas, debemos asegurarnos de: 1.- Tener definido el proposito de las mismas. 2.- Tener claro el alcance, el que mucho abarca poco aprieta. 3.- Tener claro quienes son los trabajadores clave. 4.- Donde vamos a documentar los hallazgos, su plan de acción y como lo vamos a comunicar. Esto en lo particular me ha funcionado muy bien Saludos

W?hrend des Gemba-Walks sollten Sie einige grundlegende Prinzipien beachten. Beobachten Sie die Prozesse aufmerksam und machen Sie sich Notizen zu allem, was auff?llt. Stellen Sie den Mitarbeitern Fragen, um ihre Perspektiven zu verstehen und tiefere Einblicke zu erhalten. Es ist wichtig, respektvoll und offen zu kommunizieren, um ein Vertrauensverh?ltnis aufzubauen. Zeigen sie Wertsch?tzung und Anerkennung.

During a Gemba walk, I make it a priority to stay engaged by actively listening to employees and showing genuine interest in their work and insights. I ask open-ended questions to encourage dialogue and gain a deeper understanding, while also being attentive to non-verbal cues. A warm smile or a gentle head-nod can go a long way! I aim to maintain a respectful demeanor by valuing the expertise of the team, avoiding judgment or blame, and expressing appreciation for their contributions. By focusing on understanding processes and challenges rather than immediately seeking solutions, I strive to foster a collaborative environment for continuous improvement.

Herramientas como 5 porqués, diagramas de ishikawa, son muy utiles. Una herramienta que tambien me sirve mucho es la matriz de prioridades donde en un eje evaluas el impacto y en el otro eje evaluas la facilidad para hacer la tarea. En algunos casos tambien se conoce como el Priority 9 block. Saludos

Don't be afraid to go back. You may consider your notes and may need to revalidate what you've seen. Consider what you've seen and how it might impact the problem you are trying to address. If you have a quality issue solving that will - increase quality - reduce costs - increase throughput - reduce frustration of the workforce - lead to increased customer sales. Solving the problem can have multiple benefits.

Notieren Sie alle Beobachtungen und Gespr?che w?hrend des Gemba-Walks. Diese Dokumentation ist entscheidend, um sp?ter gezielt Verbesserungsma?nahmen ergreifen zu k?nnen. Nutzen Sie hierfür einheitliche Vorlagen, um die gesammelten Informationen strukturiert festzuhalten. Nach dem Gemba-Walk sollten Sie die gesammelten Informationen analysieren und priorisieren. Identifizieren Sie die Hauptprobleme und Entwicklungsm?glichkeiten. Erstellen Sie einen Aktionsplan, der konkrete Ma?nahmen zur Verbesserung enth?lt, und legen Sie Verantwortlichkeiten sowie Zeitrahmen fest. Setzen Sie die geplanten Ma?nahmen um und verfolgen Sie deren Fortschritt regelm??ig. Es ist wichtig an den Themen dran zu bleiben.

During a Gemba walk, I analyze and prioritize by first identifying key areas where improvement can have the most significant impact. I pay close attention to recurring issues and gather input from team members to understand the root causes. By observing processes firsthand, I assess the urgency and feasibility of potential changes. I prioritize actions based on their alignment with our overall goals, the resources available, and the potential benefits for both the team and the organization. By maintaining an open dialogue with employees, I ensure that their insights and suggestions play a crucial role in the decision-making process.

Las juntas diarias de producción regularmente a nivel operativo y lideres o a nivel mandos medios, a mi me ha funcionado para hacer visual en los tableros de información, las acciones, los responsables, y las fechas y poder darle seguimiento, y de ser necesario definir si se tiene que escalar algo para poder resolver la desviación. Saludos

The Gemba Board and Visual Management tools, such as Kanban boards and Andon lights, are essential for facilitating communication, team engagement, and transparency in continuous improvement processes in Lean environments. Positioned directly at the workplace, the Gemba Board acts as a monitoring center for improvements, pending actions, and the progress of KPIs, promoting shared responsibility and active participation of the team.

It is great when the actions are visible to the entire team. Using a whiteboard where it can be seen by everyone and utilized in real-time is a great practice. The team can have standing meetings to review progress cross-functionally. If you go to a manufacturing plant and their Gemba (or any process board) is out of date - you know they are not really implementing the process effectively.

After a Gemba walk, I focus on implementing and monitoring change by first collaborating with the team to develop actionable plans based on our observations and insights. I ensure that the changes align with our objectives and allocate resources effectively to support these initiatives. I communicate the purpose and benefits of the changes clearly to all involved, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration. As changes are implemented, I establish key performance indicators to monitor progress and gather feedback from the team to assess the impact. By maintaining open communication and regularly reviewing outcomes, I ensure that we stay on track and make necessary adjustments to drive continuous improvement.

To facilitate regular Gemba walks for my team, I start by emphasizing the importance of these walks in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. I schedule walks consistently, ensuring they become a routine part of our operations rather than a one-time event (or a chore). I engage the team by explaining the objectives and encouraging their active participation and input. By rotating focus areas and involving different team members, I ensure diverse perspectives and insights are gathered. I also create a supportive environment where open communication is encouraged, helping the team feel comfortable sharing observations and ideas for improvement.

Uma das formas de manter o gemba walk ativo e consistente, e utilizá-lo dentro da Gest?o da Rotina. Como a Gest?o da Rotina ocorre diariamente e possui um quadro que pode ser físico ou digital e todos os níveis da empresa participam analisando indicadores e principais oportunidades a serem resolvidas, incluir as informa??es do check list do gemba walk faz com que seja analisado e questionado diariamente. Os assuntos do gemba walk também podem entrar no fluxo de prioriza??o das oportunidades a serem tratadas todos os dias.

Na minha vis?o, tendo apoio da alta dire??o que é fundamental, um dos caminhos a se seguir seria de uma caminhada gemba semanal, com tracking dos achados com as areas envolvidas e report do fechamento destes achados no inicio da caminhada gemba da semana posterior. Deste modo se garante o engajamento e envolvimento de todos quanto a importancia das caminhadas gemba.

For a senior leader going on a Gemba walk, the key thing to remember that your job is not to come away with all the actions, likewise it might not be about directly intervening with everything you see. Your job is to play your role in the system. This includes using your walks to confirm strategy deployment, engaging staff, celebrating successes and directing coaching interventions through the tiered system of operational meetings and routines. You are not a leader until you have made a leader who can make a leader…