A performance-driven manufacturing evaluation method used in Lean manufacturing to promote collaboration among employees and drive continuous improvement. The method involves walking around the workplace and observing employees at work to spot areas for improvement and areas where improvements can be made.

One key component of a successful Gemma walk is to have a checklist that outlines what to observe during your assessments. This ensures that you don't miss important details and will be able to provide useful suggestions that is actionable.

Here are some key items to include on a Gemba walk checklist:

1 Work in Process (WIP): Check how much stock is on hand and whether there is a sufficient supply chain to meet current customer needs. Consider implementing tools such as Just-In-Time production or TPS to reduce waste and optimize resource allocation.

2 Idle Equipment: Look for equipment that is underperforming. Identify the root reason of this inefficiency, and implement a plan to streamline operations or eliminate underperforming assets.

3 5S Adoption: Assess the level of 5S achievement, which involves maintaining and maintaining the work area. 5S stood for Categorize, Organize, Clean, Standardize, and Sustain. Employees who have mastered 5S can optimize processes and work more effortlessly.

4 Energy Use: Check whether all equipment and lighting are being used responsibly to prevent waste and reduce the effects of energy consumption on the environment.

5 Material Waste: Evaluate to see if materials and inputs are being used correctly, and whether unnecessary materials are available in the area. Consider implementing product Kanban to avoid item expiry and optimize inventory levels.

6 Water and Wastewater Management: Recognize potential sources of waste that can be minimized by implementing an effective water management system, also known as 'water-based waste.' For example, use leak-proof containers and other hazard mitigation measures can help minimize product loss and waste.

7 Employee Training: Engage with employees about their current situation and problems they encounter daily. Assess their training level, recognize areas where personal growth are required, and execute a plan to address knowledge gaps.

8 Employee Feedback Mechanisms: Evaluate how employees give feedback on areas of enhancement and develop effective communication systems so that they can provide input assertively. It can also be helpful to evaluate employee suggestions to identify the most practical ones.

9 Regulatory Compliance: Confirm whether employees comply with local rules and company policies to ensure compliance.

By following a set of detailed assessment tools, leaders can use the Lean walk strategy to evaluate specific business operations, supply chains, or teams. By evaluating the day-to-day processes, operations managers are given the opportunity to suggest small or minor adjustments that bring immediate improvements to workplaces.