What is Gemba? What makes Gemba effective?

O'PEEP'S GEMBA EXPLANATION

You are in charge of a production line, but spending most of the time in front of your computer? However you want to know more about the processes and the communication on the shopfloor? Then get out of your office chair and go into the production area on a Gemba walk!

Gemba is a Japanese word and means “the real place.” In Lean and Six Sigma methodologies Gemba (Gemba Walks) is a common tool to go to the place where the value is created. This basically means, going to the shopfloor, observing the process, seeing the shopfloor management and talking to people.

MIND THE PEOPLE – 3 POINTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN GEMBA WALKING.

The best thing about going to see “the real place” is meeting the real people. Your goals are to raise motivation, trigger ideas for improvement, and ensure people can perform.

Interest shows respect which creates motivation
Everybody wants to be seen and respected as a person, not as “an operator” or “a function”.
Ideas for improvement
Of course it’s in line with showing respect to ask for improvement ideas and test your own ideas with the people.
Ensure people can perform
This means checking the match between a person’s responsibility and his/her capability and authority to take the right decisions and drive performance.