A performance-driven manufacturing evaluation method used in Lean manufacturing to promote collaboration among employees and drive continuous improvement. The technique involves walking around the workplace and observing employees at work to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for growth.

One key component of a successful Lean initiative is to have a checklist that outlines what to look for during your evaluations. This ensures that you don't miss important details and will be able to provide useful suggestions that is relevant.

Here are some key items to include on a Gemba walk checklist:

1 Work in Process (WIP): Check how much inventory is on hand and whether there is a sufficient supply chain to meet current customer needs. Consider implementing tools such as JIT production or TPS to eliminate overproduction and optimize resource allocation.

2 Underutilized Equipment: Look for equipment that is idle. Identify the root cause of this inefficiency, and implement a plan to streamline operations or phase out underperforming assets.

3 5S Adoption: Assess the level of 5S achievement, which involves organizing and maintaining the work area. 5S stood for Sort, Set in order, Clean, Standardize, and Sustain. Employees who have excelled 5S can optimize processes and work more efficiently.

4 Energy Use: Verify whether all equipment and lighting are being used responsibly to prevent waste and minimize the impact of energy consumption on the environment.

5 Material Waste: Evaluate to see if materials and inputs are being used efficiently, and whether inefficient materials are available in the area. Consider implementing product Kanban to avoid item expiry and plan suitable stockpiling.

6 Water and Wastewater Management: Identify potential sources of waste that can be minimized by utilizing an effective water management system, also known as 'water-based waste.' For example, use leak-proof containers and other hazard mitigation measures can help minimize product loss and waste.

7 Employee Development: Talk to employees about their current situation and problems they encounter daily. Assess their training level, recognize areas where learning and development are required, and execute a plan to fill skills gaps.

8 Employee Feedback Channels: Evaluate how employees give feedback on areas of improvement and develop useful communication systems so that they can provide input confidently. It can also be helpful to assess employee suggestions to identify the most practical ones.

9 Regulatory Adherence: Verify whether employees comply with local regulations and company policies to ensure compliance.

By following a set of standard evaluation tools, leaders can use the Gemma walk strategy to evaluate specific business operations, supply chains, or teams. By evaluating the day-to-day processes, operations managers are given the opportunity to suggest small or minor adjustments that bring positive outcomes to workplaces.