The secret to solving manufacturing problems often isn’t found in reports or dashboards—it’s found on the shop floor. That’s the philosophy behind Gemba Walks, a core Lean practice that brings leaders to the “real place” where value is created.
But in today’s complex operations, traditional Gemba Walks aren’t enough. To keep up with speed, scale, and accountability, digitising Gemba Walks is essential.
In Lean Manufacturing, a Gemba Walk is when leaders go to the actual place where work is done—“Gemba” in Japanese—so they can observe processes, ask questions, and engage with frontline teams.
Unlike audits, Gemba Walks are not about catching mistakes. They are about:
Done well, they connect strategy to operations and leadership to people.
In a manufacturing environment, what leaders see, ask, and prioritise shapes what gets done. That’s why Gemba Walks are a powerful lever for:
Seeing Problems Early
Gemba makes waste, deviation, and inefficiency visible—before they become major issues.
Strengthening Communication
Walks build trust and transparency between leadership and shopfloor teams.
Driving Daily Improvement
By reinforcing standards and surfacing improvement ideas, Gemba Walks sustain CI efforts.
Reinforcing Culture
When done consistently, they promote a culture of presence, coaching, accountability, and learning.
Traditional Gemba Walks often fall short because they rely on paper, memory, or scattered notes. That leads to:
In the end, leaders check a box, but nothing changes.
Solvace transforms Gemba Walks from a manual task into a powerful, integrated leadership practice—anchored in data, collaboration, and standardised routines.
Before the Walk: Be Prepared, Not Reactive
A Global Operations Director prepares for a Gemba Walk in a facility located thousands of miles away. With Solvace, they access:
From their mobile device or desktop, they build situational awareness before entering the plant—so the walk is focused and intentional.
On the Floor: Structure, Visibility, Action
Once on site, the Gemba Walk becomes a shared experience—not a solo observation.
After the Walk: Close the Loop, Scale the Learning
Once the walk is completed:
Whether you manage one site or twelve, Solvace ensures your Gemba Walks lead to follow-through, not forgotten notes.
Gemba Walks shouldn’t be disconnected events. With Solvace, they integrate directly into:
This integration ensures follow-through—not just follow-up
Great leaders don’t manage from a desk—they go to the Gemba. But to make Gemba effective across teams, plants, and regions, you need structure, visibility, and accountability.
Solvace enables you to scale Gemba Walks with standardisation, speed, and impact.