A Lean manufacturing evaluation method used in Lean manufacturing to promote collaboration among employees and foster a culture of excellence. The method involves walking around the workplace and observing employees at work to spot areas for improvement and opportunities for growth.

One key component of a successful Lean initiative is to have a checklist that outlines what to observe during your evaluations. This ensures that you don't overlook critical factors 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): Analyze how much stock is on hand and whether there is a reliable logistical network to meet current customer needs. Consider utilizing tools such as JIT production or Toyota Production System to reduce waste and minimize waste.

2 Idle Equipment: Look for machinery that is underperforming. Identify the root cause of this shortcoming, and execute a plan to improve utilization or phase out underperforming assets.

3 5S Adoption: Evaluate the level of 5S compliance, which involves organizing and upkeeping the work area. 5S stood for Categorize, Organize, Clean, Establish, and Sustain. Employees who have excelled 5S can optimize processes and work more effortlessly.

4 Energy Efficiency: Check whether all equipment and lighting are being used efficiently to minimize resource consumption and minimize the impact of energy consumption on the environment.

5 Material Utilization: Evaluate to see if materials and inputs are being used efficiently, and whether unnecessary materials are available in the area. Consider implementing product Kanban to minimize waste and plan suitable stockpiling.

6 Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: Recognize potential sources of waste that can be minimized by implementing an effective water total quality management excellence 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 Development: Engage with employees about their current condition and problems they encounter daily. Assess their training level, identify areas where learning and development are required, and implement a plan to address knowledge gaps.

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

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

By following a set of detailed assessment tools, leaders can use the Gemma 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 positive outcomes to workplaces.