Gemba
-
Gemba is
a Japanese
word meaning “the
actual place.”
-
In lean practices, the
Gemba refers to “the
place where value is
created,” such as the
shop floor in
manufacturing, the
operating room in
a
hospital, the job site on a construction project,
the kitchen of
a
restaurant, and the
workstation of
a
software programmer.
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When an abnormality
arises, go to Gemba first
-
Check with
Gembutsu
–
like machines, tools,
rejects, and customer
complaints
-
Search for Muda, Mura
and Muri
-
Take temporary
countermeasures on the
spot
-
Find out the root causes
using 5 why analysis
and other relevant
cause prioritization
tools
-
Standardize to prevent
recurrence
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It is an opportunity for
management and support
staff to break away from
their day-to-day tasks to
walk the floor of their
workplace to identify
wasteful activities.
-
The objective is to
understand the value
stream and its problems,
rather than review results
or make superficial
comments from their office
or conference room.
-
In addition, Gemba also
gives a feel-good factor for
employees and an
opportunity for employee
and management
interactionand build.
