Dashpivot Article – Gemba Walk Examples
Gemba Walk Examples
In the realm of operational management, the practice of a Gemba Walk is a powerful tool used by managers to understand the real-time challenges and efficiencies in their workplace.
Originating from the Japanese term "gemba" meaning "the real place," this approach encourages leaders to step out of their offices and engage directly with the processes and employees on the frontline.
This article explores several examples of Gemba Walks across various industries, with a focus on the construction and built world sectors, highlighting how this practice can lead to tangible improvements in processes, safety, and overall productivity.
Understanding the Gemba Walk
A Gemba Walk involves managers going to the site where work happens - the shop floor, construction site, or any place where the actual work is performed. The primary aim is not to audit or find faults but to observe, ask questions, and learn about the processes and challenges the workers face. This method helps in identifying non-value-added activities and areas where improvements can be made.
Gemba Walk Example 1: Residential Construction Site
In a typical residential construction project, a project manager organises weekly Gemba Walks with the site supervisors and various trade workers involved. During these walks, the focus might be on the current phase of construction—say, framing or plumbing. The manager observes the ongoing work, discusses any challenges with the workers, and gathers feedback on obstacles such as delayed material deliveries or equipment inefficiencies.
For instance, during one such Gemba Walk, it was observed that the workers were spending a significant amount of time retrieving tools and materials from a central storage area, which was located at one end of the large site. By engaging directly with the workers and witnessing the issue first-hand, the manager decided to introduce additional mobile storage units and position them strategically across the site. This change resulted in a notable reduction in wasted time and effort, thereby increasing productivity and worker satisfaction.
Gemba Walk Example 2: Commercial Building Retrofitting
Another possible application of the Gemba Walk is during the retrofitting of commercial buildings. Here, the focus might be on the integration of new technologies or systems into existing structures. A facilities manager might conduct Gemba Walks during the installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems in an older building. By observing the installation process, the manager can identify any miscommunications between the design team and the installation contractors, or pinpoint inefficiencies in how materials are delivered and handled at the site.
In one case, a Gemba Walk revealed that the HVAC installation team was frequently interrupted by the need to adjust other building components that were not properly mapped out in the initial plans. To resolve this, the facilities manager facilitated a series of planning sessions between the building engineers and the installation contractors to revise and optimise the workflow. This proactive approach helped to minimise disruptions and ensured a smoother retrofitting process.
Gemba Walk Example 3: Infrastructure Maintenance
Infrastructure maintenance, particularly in utilities like water and sewage, can also benefit from Gemba Walks. By visiting sites where maintenance crews are working on pipe repairs or installations, managers can observe and better understand the complexities of such tasks. This direct observation can lead to improvements in safety protocols and the introduction of more efficient tools and technologies.
For example, during a Gemba Walk at a water utility maintenance project, a manager noticed that the crew was using outdated manual methods to locate underground pipes, which was time-consuming and often inaccurate. As a result, the company invested in modern, digital pipe-locating equipment, which not only sped up the process but also reduced the risk of errors and subsequent damage.
Gemba Walks offer a unique opportunity for managers in the construction and built world industries to gain a deeper understanding of their operations by observing and interacting directly with the processes and people involved.
These examples illustrate how such walks can lead to significant operational improvements, from enhancing productivity on a residential construction site to streamlining retrofitting projects and improving safety and efficiency in infrastructure maintenance.
As industries continue to evolve, the Gemba Walk remains a timeless tool for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
See the Gemba Walk example below to see how you could implement documentation to help standardise your processes to improve how you do work.
Convert this Gemba Walk example into a free digital template
Digitise your Gemba Walk documentation
Streamline your Gemba Walks by using this pre-built Gemba Walk checklist template.
All the fields and sections you need are standardised, and you can customise it via the drag and drop form builder if there are any extra fields you need to capture specific to your project or location.
Attach photos, videos and PDF attachments to your Gemba Walk.
Export completed Gemba Walks as perfectly formatted CSV or PDF to your internal team or to external 3rd parties.
Save time and build better processes with a dedicated Gemba Walk solution
A Gemba Walk app can help you and your team manage the processes around Gemba Walks so they run smoother and you're able to extract insights better.
You can run and document Gemba Walks on site via mobile or tablet then automatically sync the data back to the office once it's submitted.
Take photos from the app, attach to your Gemba Walk and use photo markup to highlight important information such as hazards or something you've seen has room for improvement.
Automated workflows make it easy to plan, conduct and sign off on Gemba Walks, so you're ensuring that they're reviewed for potential changes to help productivity and safety.
Snag list template
Don't let snags get in the way of project completion.
Non-conformance report (NCR) template
Document those painful non conformances with this powerful template.
Defect Report template
Manage and rectify those inevitable defects with ease.
Sitemate builds best in class tools for built world companies.
English (United States) 
English (Australia) 
English (UK) 
English (New Zealand) 
English (South Africa) 
German