At TrackMyMachines, we love the power of Gemba. It means going to the shop floor to see what is really happening. This Lean manufacturing principle has helped countless leaders spot waste, understand processes, and make improvements that last.
But here’s the challenge. If you only rely on what you see during your walk, you are getting just one snapshot in time… and you may be missing the real story.
Find out how TrackMyMachines Downtime Monitoring helps you find out what machine downtime is costing you
Read the case studyWhat is Gemba?
The word Gemba (現場) comes from Japanese and means “the real place”, which refers to the place where value is created
In manufacturing, that means the shop floor. A Gemba walk is when leaders or managers visit the floor to observe work, talk with operators, and understand processes firsthand. It is a cornerstone of Lean manufacturing, rooted in the Toyota Production System , and helps leaders to:
- See processes as they really happen
- Identify waste or inefficiencies
- Understand challenges from the operator’s perspective
- Support continuous improvement in a respectful and collaborative way
When combined, these principles show why Gemba is such a powerful way to connect data with reality.
As we like to put it:
Data shows you the problem, the what. Gemba shows you the context, the why and how.
The Limits of a Walk-Only Approach
A Gemba walk can be powerful, but it is only one moment in time. It cannot tell you what happens overnight, how long changeovers actually take, or how often machines stop when no one is watching. These blind spots can hide costly inefficiencies that never make it onto a report.
See it in action
Find out how TrackMyMachines helps manufacturers pinpoint downtime costs with real-time data so your next Gemba walk is backed by facts rather than assumptions.
Book a demoUpgrading Gemba with 24/7 Insight
That is where TrackMyMachines makes the difference. Our real-time machine monitoring runs day and night, giving you:
- Machine cycles and uptime so you can see how your assets really perform
- Changeover durations so you can measure and improve setup times
- Downtime tracking so you know when, why, and for how long machines stop
- Operator input without manual logging so you can capture accurate, in-the-moment data
This means your Gemba walks become laser-focused. You know exactly where to go, what to look for, and how to back up your observations with hard data.
It is still Gemba, simply upgraded with the power of 24/7 visibility. A synergy between Gemba and Machine Monitoring, OEE, and Uptime Data.
Why This Combination Works
By pairing the principles of Gemba with continuous monitoring, you get the best of both worlds. On one hand, live data points you toward the problem areas. On the other, the walk gives you context and insight from the people who work there every day. Combined, they allow you to address issues quickly, improve processes, and make changes that stick.
The Complete Picture
Machine monitoring does not replace Gemba. It enhances it.
With TrackMyMachines, you are no longer limited to a single snapshot of operations. You have the full story — what happens during the day, at night, and through every changeover — so you can act with confidence.
If you are ready to see what is really happening on your shop floor, book your free demo today and start making smarter, data-driven improvements.
