1. GEMBA WALK STAGE
Gemba Walk Strategy and Setup
2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Gemba Walk facilitator is a role that supports the organization’s transition towards a lean environment and manages potential conflicts, addresses the needs of all relevant stakeholders, and prepares the environment and employees for a change. Gemba Walk facilitators support the Gemba processes, deliver training programs, and ensure employees are aware of the changes occurring as a result of Gemba Walks or other lean tools, and how/why these changes occur. The employees in this role will also help bridge the gap between the different expectations from executives, teams and other relevant stakeholders affected by the change required towards Gemba and lean transformation. This role will ensure that the Gemba Walk routine is successfully carried out, engaging everyone for it to become a routine.
3. HOW TO USE THE GEMBA WALK FACILITATOR IN THE GEMBA WALK
The Gemba Walk facilitator or change agent is a role that significantly eases the implementation of any lean practice in a department or organization, including the Gemba Walk. The Gemba Walk facilitator is responsible for the communication, training, leadership support, roll-out and diligence of the practice once implemented. S/he works strongly on the human side of the change, working closely with the leadership to ensure the right people are involved in the initiative early on, and that the more skeptical employees are trained and “converted” appropriately.
4. ROLES AND ACTIVITIES
Leader: Ensures support for the formal role of change agent
Facilitator: Acts as a change agent for the Gemba Walk implementation and execution, supporting leaders and employees in familiarizing with, executing and following-up Gemba Walks
Team member: Supports facilitator and challenges the process to apply lean tools
5. EXPECTED BENEFITS FOR THE GEMBA WALK
Enables the implementation of the Gemba Walk
Coaches the leaders when they start rolling out the Gemba Walk practice
Deploys the Gemba Walk strategy at all levels
Provides training and enables the adoption of the Gemba Walks and its associated lean practices
Engages employees towards embracing and disseminating Gemba practices
Becomes a contact point for employees before, during and after Gemba activities
6. ORGANIZATIONS THAT INCLUDE THE GEMBA WALK FACILITATOR ROLE
Airbus Defence and Space, Barry Callebaut, Bocar Group, CEMEX, IMC, Interface, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Swisscom