Gemba Walk

Definition of Gemba Walk

A Gemba Walk is a lean practice where leaders observe work on-site to inform decisions.

Pronunciation Spelling

GEM-ba WAWK

Example Sentence

Gemba Walk findings led to streamlined workflows and enhanced collaboration among team members.

Significance

Agile practitioners should be familiar with the term “gemba walk” as it refers to the practice of physically observing and engaging with the real work environment to gain insights, identify inefficiencies, and understand the actual process flow. This practice encourages direct observation and interaction with team members to improve processes, enhance collaboration, and address any challenges faced during the project. Gemba walks foster a culture of continuous improvement by enabling teams to identify areas for optimization and make informed decisions based on real-time observations.

Additional Resources

• Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense Approach to a Continuous Improvement Strategy
• Gemba Walk: Where the Real Work Happens
• Podcast Ep. 172: Empiricism Beyond the Scrum Team with Misi Eyetsemitan