Description
A Gemba Walk is a technique used to observe and understand how work is being performed. Gemba is taken from the Japanese word gembutsu, meaning “real thing” or “real place,” and a Gemba Walk has the following elements: observation (watching people perform work in-person); location (observing people at the actual location where work is performed); teaming (interacting with people performing the work). Gemba Walks provide an up-close, detailed view of behaviors in action and are a powerful tool for identifying process improvement opportunities and new ways to support the agile team. They are also useful methods for leaders to see how agile teams are demonstrating agile values.
Typical Roles
Agile Leader
Scrum Master
Agile Coach
Agile Team or Functional Group
Desired Behaviors
- 1.
Gemba Walks are performed at the location where work activities occur.
- 2.
Observe teams while they work, and ask questions if appropriate.
- 3.
Understand the workers’ perspectives on how the work is performed, including their view of problems and improvement suggestions.
- 4.
Do not use the Gemba Walk to solve problems.
- 5.
Record observations and improvement opportunities.
- 6.
Provide timely feedback to the team or functional group.