Gemba vs Genchi Genbutsu
Gemba is the actual place where work happens, the shop floor, the store, the point of service. Genchi Genbutsu is the practice of going there yourself to see the real situation firsthand, rather than relying on reports.
Gemba
Gemba is Japanese for the actual place where work is done, like the shop floor, a counter or an inbox. It is where value is created, not where it is managed.
Genchi Genbutsu
Genchi Genbutsu is a Toyota principle: before you decide, go to the actual place, see the actual thing and check the facts yourself, not in a report.
A physical location, the real workplace
An action, the practice of going and observing
A place
A principle or habit
Problems are best understood where they actually occur
Decisions based on secondhand reports miss details only visible on site
| What it refers to | A physical location, the real workplace | An action, the practice of going and observing |
|---|---|---|
| Type of term | A place | A principle or habit |
| Why it matters | Problems are best understood where they actually occur | Decisions based on secondhand reports miss details only visible on site |