1. GEMBA WALK STAGE
During the Gemba Walk
2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Brainstorming is an often-used group activity where participants collaboratively generate many ideas quickly and without judgement. Participants stimulate each other’s thinking and build on ideas of others, within a safe environment defined with ground rules of brainstorming.
3. HOW TO USE BRAINSTORMING IN THE GEMBA WALK
Brainstorming is an inclusive practice encouraging the Gemba team to identify possible improvement opportunities, solve challenges and identify possible solutions during or after the Gemba Walk. There is a large number of brainstorming techniques available and each facilitator and Gemba team usually prefer one of the following:
Bono six thinking hats
Silent brainstorming
Team brainstorming
Brainwritting
Superpowers brainstorming
4. ROLES AND ACTIVITIES
Leader: Strongly encourages and supports the team, motivating them to invest time and resources in performing the brainstorming. Facilitates the brainstorming sessions
Facilitator: Supports the leader with facilitation training and coaching
Team member: Performs brainstorming
5. EXPECTED BENEFITS FOR THE GEMBA WALK
Helps generate ideas in a simple and cost-effective manner
Encourages collaboration
Promotes disruptive and “wild” ideas
6. ORGANIZATIONS THAT PERFORM BRAINSTORMING
Airbus Defence and Space, Barry Callebaut, Bocar Group, CEMEX, IMC, Interface, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Swisscom and Thermo Fisher Scientific