🥇 Kaizen Application: 3 Myths About Gemba Walk

The article, written by Agnieszka Fonfara from Lean Enterprise Institute Poland and Joanna Hering from Kompania Piwowarska S.A., focuses on explaining and debunking three popular myths about Gemba Walk. The authors present the theses in the context of their experiences from the Kompania Piwowarska brewery, adding a practical dimension to the article.

The first myth the article examines is the belief that Gemba Walk is the daily presence of supervisors in the production area. In reality, as the authors explain, Gemba Walk is systematic, planned walks by supervisors through their areas, focused on understanding processes and problems. Examples from the brewery illustrate that it's not about daily chats, but routine actions leading to deeper process understanding.

The second myth, debunked by the authors, is the belief that Gemba Walk is just a conversation about problems and irregularities. The article emphasizes that while talking to employees is key, the goal of Gemba Walk is to understand processes and long-term improvement, not just putting out current fires. It recommends asking open questions and seeking problem causes and solutions.

The third myth concerns confusing Gemba Walk with other types of audits, such as Safety Walk or Factory Tour. The authors explain that although all these practices may seem similar, they differ in goals and methodology. Gemba Walk is a supervisor's tool for understanding processes and seeking improvement methods, while audits focus on compliance with established standards.

In summary, the article not only debunks common myths about Gemba Walk but also provides practical tips on how to properly implement this practice. Examples from Kompania Piwowarska brewery show that consistent application of Gemba Walk principles improves collaboration in the organization, allows better process understanding, and contributes to their continuous improvement. It is an inspiring read for anyone who wants to understand how to properly conduct Gemba Walk and avoid common mistakes.