Virtual Gemba Walks: Bringing Continuous Improvement to Remote Teams

Traditionalists and skeptics are eager to call the usability of virtual Gemba walks into question, believing their effectiveness in remote process improvement strategies to be rather limited. Today, we aim to dispel these doubts and show off exactly how remote teams and continuous improvement can still go hand-in-hand, even when hundreds of miles apart.

Why Are Gemba Walks So Central to Process Improvement?

Gemba walks represent a fundamental approach to understanding organizational processes at the base level, directly at their source. Originating from Japanese manufacturing practices, these site inspections enable leaders to observe work environments firsthand, gaining unfiltered insight into operational workflows, employee challenges, and potential improvement opportunities.

By physically (or now, virtually) engaging with the actual workspace, teams can identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and innovative solutions that a physical, written management report simply won’t reflect accurately enough.

The Role of Virtual Gemba Walks in Remote Process Improvement

Thanks to their potential for increasing operational efficiency and instilling a sense of goal-oriented top-to-bottom collaboration, Gemba walks have cemented themselves as a cornerstone of lean manufacturing principles and a key element of any continuous improvement strategy.

To add to this, virtual Gemba walks (which are not without their issues, but we’ll get into those in the next section) now allow companies to leverage technologies like video conferencing and screen sharing to reap these benefits without the need for physical presence.

Some of the many benefits include:

• Real-time visual documentation of work processes for essentially unlimited observers
• Immediate collaborative problem-solving opportunities
• Reduced logistical costs & increased ROI of Gemba walks as a whole
• Enhanced flexibility in scheduling and participation

To put it succinctly, conducting Gemba walks virtually allows organizations to maintain their continuous improvement momentum regardless of physical distance. This, in turn, transforms potential limitations into strategic advantages for process improvement in remote teams.

Addressing the Challenges and Limitations for Continuous Improvement in Remote Teams

But enough about the good, there are two sides to every story, after all. Though the tremendous potential is there, certain remote Gemba challenges associated with the technical barriers are not to be ignored.

First off, connectivity issues remain at the forefront of any such technology. To remain efficient, Gemba walks must rely on communication. Internet problems stand directly in the way of that, which is why companies should leverage the newest tech, like 5G streaming, to reduce the risks that could impact effectiveness.

Then, there’s the idea of “Zoom fatigue,” which is ever-present in remote teams. Essentially, it boils down to the inevitable buildup of fatigue in employees who have to sit through intense sessions with their eyes glued to the screen. This certainly is a potential obstacle that companies should plan around, mostly by relying on immersive video platforms to keep participants engaged throughout the activity.

Through a comprehensive approach that aims to capitalize on the ROI of virtual Gemba walks while limiting their detrimental effects, companies can likely see surprisingly positive results. We recommend starting with a hybrid inspection model rather than going all-in on virtual walks. Doing so will acclimate employees and managers to the practice and if the change is received positively, increasing the frequency of virtual Gemba walks down the road will become much more feasible.

The Takeaway

Remote process improvement through virtual Gemba walks is certainly possible, even when there are challenges to address. If you’re looking for a company that can accommodate your remote inspection needs through ingenious tech solutions, contact us at Avatour—our innovative video platform lets you conduct inspections like never before. Reach out today to get a quote or book a demo and see us in action!

You may also read: Remote Inspections 101: A Comprehensive Overview of Remote Inspections [2024]

‍