# Gemba Walk

> Source: https://netray.co/glossary/gemba-walk
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Glossary

## Short answer

A gemba walk is a structured visit by managers to the place where work is actually done, such as the shop floor, to observe processes, ask questions and see problems first hand instead of relying on reports or dashboards.

## Aliases

- gemba
- go to the gemba
- management by walking around lean

## Category

manufacturing

## Full Definition

Gemba is Japanese for the actual place. In lean, the principle is that real information about a process is found where it happens. A gemba walk is a planned, recurring visit with a theme, for example safety, changeovers or material flow, not a casual tour.

Good walks follow a few habits. Go with a specific question. Observe the process and the people, not the output board. Ask open questions such as how do you know this is correct, and what gets in your way. Do not fix problems on the spot or assign blame. Record what was seen and follow up with the area lead.

ERP and MES data are best used as preparation, not as a substitute. Before a walk, a leader may pull late job orders, high scrap work centers or long queue times from the ERP (for example job and work order status in Infor SyteLine, production order status in Infor LN or SAP). On the floor, the leader compares what the system says with what is actually happening, and gaps such as unreported transactions or phantom inventory become visible.

The most common failure is a walk that becomes an inspection. If people feel judged they hide problems, which defeats the purpose.

## Why It Matters

- Closes the gap between what dashboards report and what actually happens.
- Shows leaders the real obstacles operators face.
- Surfaces ERP data quality problems such as late or missing transactions.
- Feeds kaizen and PDCA with real observed problems.

## In Practice

A plant manager chooses a theme of material shortages and picks five jobs flagged late in the ERP. On the floor, three are waiting on a single kitted component that was issued in the system but is physically in the wrong location. The follow-up is a stores location fix and a transaction discipline reminder, tracked until closed.

## Faq

### What does gemba mean?

**Answer:** It means the actual place, the location where value is created or work is done.

### How often should a gemba walk happen?

**Answer:** Daily short walks by supervisors and weekly or monthly themed walks by senior leaders are typical. Consistency matters more than length.

### What should you do during a gemba walk?

**Answer:** Observe, ask open questions, listen and note issues. Avoid giving orders or assigning blame, and follow up afterward.

### Can a gemba walk be done remotely?

**Answer:** Video can help with some observations, but the value comes from presence and conversation, so on-site walks are preferred.

## Search terms

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