Manufacturing / Free editable template

Gemba walk route and observation board template

A gemba walk works best when the route and the questions are planned before anyone sets foot on the floor. This example maps a weekly 30-minute walk of an assembly hall, from the team board to dispatch, with a sticky note at each stop for what to look for, what was seen and the question to ask.

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Gemba walk route and observation board example showing floor plan with a numbered walk route, look, seen and ask notes at every stop, walk standard and after-the-walk checklist
Everything in this example is editable. Replace the labels, move the shapes and adapt the layout to your work.

How to use this template

  1. Draw your own areas

    Rename the rooms to match your site and move the numbered stops so the route follows real aisles. A route that matches the floor makes it easier for the next walk leader to repeat it.

  2. Write one question per stop

    Replace the example questions with open questions for the people working there. Asking what gets in their way surfaces problems that a checklist of standards will miss.

  3. Close the loop the same day

    Turn each finding into an action with an owner before noon and check last week's actions at the start of the next walk. People keep raising issues when they see earlier ones fixed.

Questions about this template

Can I plan a route for my own area?

Yes. Redraw the floor plan for your area, move the seven numbered stops to the places you want to observe and rewrite the look, seen and ask notes.

Do I need an account to use it?

No. Open the template and edit it in your browser. Your work saves on this device. An account is optional if you want to sync your workspace.

Can I export the finished diagram?

Yes. Use Export in the editor to save a PNG, SVG or PDF, or download an editable .epicdraw backup.

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