A quality-focused manufacturing evaluation method used in Lean manufacturing to encourage teamwork among employees and foster a culture of excellence. The technique 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 evaluations. This ensures that you don't miss important details and will be able to provide constructive feedback that is relevant.

Here are some key items to include on a Lean evaluation checklist:

1 Work in Process (WIP): Analyze how much inventory is on hand and whether there is a reliable logistical network to meet current customer needs. Consider implementing tools such as Just-In-Time production or TPS to eliminate overproduction and minimize waste.

2 Underutilized Equipment: Look for equipment that is underperforming. Identify the root cause of this shortcoming, and implement a plan to streamline operations or phase out underperforming assets.

3 5S Adoption: Assess the level of 5S achievement, which involves maintaining and maintaining the work area. 5S stood for Sort, Set in order, Clean, Standardize, and Maintain. Employees who have excelled 5S can optimize processes and work more efficiently.

4 Energy Use: Verify whether all appliances and illumination are being used efficiently to minimize resource consumption 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 minimize waste and plan suitable stockpiling.

6 Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: Identify potential sources of waste that can be minimized by implementing an efficient 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 Development: Engage with employees about their current situation and problems they encounter daily. Assess their training level, recognize areas where learning and development 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 useful communication systems so that they can provide input assertively. It can also be helpful to assess employee suggestions to identify the most effective 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 recommend small or minor adjustments that bring positive outcomes to workplaces.