Gemba Walks

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Getting down to where the action is!

Right then, let’s talk about Gemba Walks. Fancy name, but it just means getting off your backside, leaving the office, and actually seeing what’s happening where the work’s done.

Gemba is Japanese for "the real place," which sounds all mysterious, but it just means the shop floor, the warehouse, or wherever your processes happen.

Why Bother with Gemba Walks?

See It, Don’t Assume It: Problems look way different on a spreadsheet than in the actual workspace. You need to see the bottlenecks, the frustrations, and the sheer genius of your team with your own eyes.
Connect With the Team: Builds trust and lets folks know you’re not some distant overlord with no clue about reality.
Find Opportunities: Small changes can lead to big wins, and the people on the ground often have the best ideas.

Who Should Do Them?

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Short answer: leaders at every level!

From supervisors to CEOs, everyone benefits from seeing the action. You might not understand all the technical nitty-gritty, but your presence shows you care. Just don’t walk around pretending you know how to fix that machine if you’ve never touched it!

Benefits of Gemba Walks

Problem Solving: You spot issues before they blow up.
Boost Morale: People love it when you value their work.
Continuous Improvement: They’re a key part of Lean culture, helping you find new ways to improve processes.

Pitfalls to Dodge

Not Acting on Feedback: This is the biggie. If someone tells you about a problem, and you nod, smile, and disappear forever, you’ll lose respect faster than a bacon sarnie at a builders' meeting. As always, honesty is the best feedback, you will be given all kinds of information during a Gemba walk, if you can’t use the information tell them! sometimes suggestions are too expensive to implement or you simply don’t have the time! It may take some time to work out what's possible!, but get back to them ASAP! Tell them what's going on!!!
Turning It Into a Witch Hunt: You will see processes not being followed and or bad practices and sometimes bad behaviour. Gemba Walks are not about pointing fingers. The goal is to improve systems, not blame people. Consider how you handle these observations, the last thing you want is for the shop floor to not be open and honest with you. Of course if something is dangerous then stop it straight away! Always put health and safety first!
Lack of Regularity: Doing one walk and calling it a day doesn’t cut it. It’s got to be part of your routine. If you are a leader at any level, then Gemba walks are simply part of what you do!

Frequency and Fitting It Into Business Practice

Daily or Weekly: For supervisors, daily might be ideal. For higher-ups, weekly or monthly works, as long as it’s consistent.
Keep It Short: 15-30 minutes is usually enough.
Make It Part of the Culture: A Gemba Walk without a stop at the red spot is like a cuppa without a biscuit—just incomplete.

Managing the Data Collected

Keep It Simple: Use a notepad or an app, but don’t overcomplicate it.
Review Regularly: Log what you’ve learned and create actions.
Close the Loop: Report back to the team on what’s been fixed or what’s in progress. Accountability matters.

What Are Hot Spots?

Red spots are areas on the shop floor marked with vinyl or paint—strategically placed near a notice board or visual display. They’re a hotspot for communication, not chaos. Here’s what they’re for:

Business Updates: Share information on the company’s performance, projects, and major upcoming events.
Health & Safety Info: Keep everyone in the loop on important safety reminders.
Two-Way Communication: A leader can use the red spot as a gathering point during a Gemba Walk. It’s a place to present updates and take questions or feedback from the team.

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Think of it as a quick pit stop for leadership and workers to align.

Final Advice

Approach Gemba Walks with curiosity, not judgement. Treat them like a chance to learn and build relationships. Use those red spots wisely—they’re your platform for open communication and a visible commitment to improvement. And whatever you do, act on what you find. Nothing kills workplace morale like a boss who listens but doesn’t do anything.

So, grab your high-vis vest (if needed), a good pair of shoes, and get out there! And remember, it’s not about showing off how busy you are—it’s about showing you care and want to make things better.