What is Gemba?
- Meaning: "The real place" or "where the work happens."
- Focus: Observing the actual processes, workflows, and environments where value is created. In Flagship LMS, this might mean examining how Moodle sites are set up, how tasks are managed in Basecamp, or how clients are onboarded.
- Purpose: To identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement by directly engaging with the workplace and people involved.
What is Kaizen?
- Meaning: "Continuous improvement."
- Focus: Making incremental, ongoing improvements in processes, workflows, and systems. It emphasizes small, consistent changes that lead to long-term efficiency and effectiveness.
- Purpose: To foster a culture of ongoing development and refinement. At Flagship LMS, this might mean continually updating Basecamp checklists or improving client onboarding based on feedback.
How Are They Related?
- Gemba Feeds Kaizen: Gemba provides the insights needed to fuel Kaizen. By observing workflows during a Gemba walk, you uncover waste and inefficiencies, which become the focus of Kaizen improvements.
- Kaizen Happens in the Gemba: Continuous improvements are most effective when implemented where the work is done—at the Gemba.
- Shared Goal: Both aim to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and maximize value for the client.
Example at Flagship LMS
- Gemba: During a walkthrough of your AWS hosting setup, you notice that backups for inactive clients are still consuming server space.
- Kaizen: Based on this observation, you introduce an automated policy to delete backups for inactive clients after a set period, improving server efficiency.
In summary, Gemba is about seeing and understanding the current state of work, while Kaizen is about improving it continuously. Together, they create a powerful cycle of observation and refinement.