1. GEMBA WALK STAGE
Before the Gemba Walk
2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION
A Cross-functional team is a team that facilitates close collaboration among different internal departments/functions such as engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and others, and with external functions such as suppliers, partners and customers, ensuring full alignment and integration are achieved throughout the entire end-to-end process. In the case of innovation and product development, a cross-functional team integrates members from the early stages to the launch of the new product or service.
3. HOW TO USE A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAM IN THE GEMBA WALK
A diverse Gemba team is comprised of members from various functions, working together to improve the processes by providing subject matter expertise and a fresh process view. The Gemba leader ensures participation of the crucial team members selected from internal and external pools of experts, each bringing a unique perspective to the Gemba Walk. A selection of experts is likely to identify multiple different improvement opportunities and provide new viewpoints and ideas on how to seize the opportunity, while minimizing the risk, based on experience from their functions.
4. ROLES AND ACTIVITIES
Leader: Identifies and integrates cross-functional teams and assigns roles, schedules and leads activities, ensures team harmony and facilitates Gemba Walk activities, encourages different viewpoints
Facilitator: Coaches team members during the Gemba Walk process, behaviors and questions to be asked, supports the Gemba team throughout the walk
Team member: Participates in the Gemba Walk, identifies opportunities, provides ideas. Collaborates with colleages from other functions or teams to solve problems
5. EXPECTED BENEFITS FOR THE GEMBA WALK
Ensures that knowledge and expertise from different functions/teams are available during the Gemba Walk, covering the end-to-end process to facilitate the problem-solving process
Encourages different viewpoints
Supports an effective and fast Gemba Walk
Reduces the silo mindset
Encourages best practice sharing across functions
Leverages internal and external expertise to continuously improve
6. ORGANIZATIONS THAT INCLUDE CROSS FUNCTIONAL TEAMS
Airbus Defence and Space, Barry Callebaut, Bocar Group, CEMEX, IMC, Interface, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Swisscom and Thermo Fisher Scientific