Free training deck
Updated · About 30 minutes
Gemba walk training presentation
A gemba walk is a leader going to the place where the work is done to see it, ask questions and learn, rather than relying on reports. This free deck teaches leaders to run one in about 30 minutes. Its 16 editable slides cover what a gemba walk is and is not, the three principles (go see, ask why, show respect), what to do before, during and after a walk, good questions to ask, leader standard work, an illustrative example, the common mistakes, a 20-minute practice walk and four check questions with answers. Every slide has speaker notes.
Free to use: print it, copy it and edit it for your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.
A look inside
What is in the 16 slides
For team leaders, supervisors, managers and CI coordinators. Widescreen, in plain language, with speaker notes on every slide.
Slide 5: Three principles 
Slide 11: Example: a walk on a filling line 
Slide 13: Try it: a 20-minute practice walk
- 1Gemba walks: go and see the workCover
- 2AgendaWhat a gemba walk is, and is not · Three principles: go see, ask why, show respect · Before, during and after the walk · An example and common mistakes · Practice walk and check questions
- 3What a gemba walk isGemba is Japanese for the real place: where the work is done. A gemba walk is a leader going there to see, ask and learn.
- 4What it is, and what it is notA gemba walk is and it is not
- 5Three principlesGo see, Ask why, Show respect
- 6Before the walkPick a purpose or theme: safety, flow, quality or a recent problem.
- 7During the walkStart where the value is added and follow the product or the job.
- 8Good questions to askCan you show me how this works?, What does normal look like?, How do you know you're on target?, What got in your way today?, What happens when something goes wrong?, What help do you need from me?
- 9After the walkThank the people you spoke with.
- 10Make it a routineWalks work when they are part of leader standard work, not something done when there is time.
- 11Example: a walk on a filling lineAn illustrative example of one 25-minute walk with a theme.
- 12Common mistakesWalking without a purpose.
- 13Try it: a 20-minute practice walkA 20-minute team activity
- 14Check your understanding4 check questions
- 15AnswersThe answers, to discuss
- 16Key points and next stepsNext: put your first walk in the calendar, with a theme.
How to run it
Running the session
- 1
Prepare
Read the speaker notes once and swap the illustrative example for one from your own area if you have it. Print the PDF if people like a handout.
- 2
Present
The slides take about 10 minutes. Every slide has notes, so you can talk from them rather than read the slide.
- 3
Do the activity
Pick one process and one question you want answered. The activity slide takes the team through it step by step; allow 20 minutes.
- 4
Check and follow up
Ask the check questions before showing the answers, then agree one next step with an owner and a date before people leave.
The check questions
- 1. What does gemba mean?
- The real place: where the work is done.
- 2. What are the three principles of a gemba walk?
- Go see, ask why, show respect.
- 3. Why not fix problems on the spot?
- The team learns more by solving them, and you stop seeing the rest. Safety risks are the exception.
- 4. What should happen after every walk?
- Thank people, agree a few actions with owners and dates, and follow up on the next walk.
Templates and guides to go with it
- Gemba walk checklistA walk plan and route, 30 prompts in six groups and a findings table with owners and due dates.
- Leader standard work templateA team leader's daily, weekly and monthly routine with a box per day, follow-ups and a weekly review.
- Waste walk checklist (TIMWOODS)32 things to look for across the eight wastes, with where and how much, and a findings log with dot votes, owners and dates.
- Daily huddle agendaA 15-minute start-of-shift stand-up in six timed blocks, with yesterday's SQCDP results, today's plan, actions and escalations.
- Topic: Lean leadership and employee engagementEvery guide we have on the subject, sorted.
After the session
Put it on the wall
Free printable poster on the same subject, so the team sees it every day: a PNG to download now, and print-ready PDFs from Letter to 24 x 36 in.
FAQ
Gemba walk training presentation: common questions
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