Gemba walk observation & coaching template

{ "Title": "Gemba Walk Observation & Coaching", "IntroductionHtml": "

Gemba walk observation & coaching

Use this form during a gemba walk to capture clear facts, coach for operator reflection, propose lightweight experiments, assign owners, and track follow-up so observations turn into owned improvements.

Keep entries short and evidence-based. Use the coaching prompts to help the operator reflect and propose a practical next-step experiment whenever possible.

", "SubmitLabel": "Save observation", "SuccessMessage": "Observation saved. You can return later to update follow-up and results.", "DataType": "GembaObservation", "SchemaVersion": 1, "Fields": [ { "Key": "observer_name", "Label": "Observer name", "FieldType": "text", "Required": true, "HelpText": "Your name. Helps assign accountability for follow-up." }, { "Key": "date_time", "Label": "Date and time", "FieldType": "text", "Required": true, "HelpText": "ISO-ish format helpful (e.g., 2026-08-27 09:15)." }, { "Key": "location", "Label": "Location / line / cell", "FieldType": "text", "Required": true, "HelpText": "Where the observation occurred (line name, cell, area, machine ID)." }, { "Key": "shift", "Label": "Shift / team", "FieldType": "text", "HelpText": "Which shift or team was on duty." }, { "Key": "operator_name", "Label": "Operator(s) observed", "FieldType": "text", "HelpText": "Name(s) of the operator(s) engaged in the activity." }, { "Key": "observation_summary", "Label": "Observation — short summary", "FieldType": "textarea", "Required": true, "HelpText": "A concise, factual statement: what you saw or measured. Avoid interpretation here." }, { "Key": "facts_and_evidence", "Label": "Facts / evidence (what you measured or observed)", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Numbers, times, counts, photos (reference), samples, timestamps, or direct quotes. Example: '4 consecutive rejects in 15 minutes; scrap weight 3.2 kg.'" }, { "Key": "related_metrics", "Label": "Related metrics to note", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "OEE, cycle time, uptime, rejects, throughput, takt, etc. Not required but helpful for follow-up." }, { "Key": "safety_hazard", "Label": "Is there an immediate safety or compliance hazard?", "FieldType": "yesno", "HelpText": "If yes, stop and secure the area before continuing. Record actions in follow-up." }, { "Key": "coaching_prompts_used", "Label": "Coaching questions used (select all that applied)", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Options": [ { "Value": "what_happened", "Label": "What happened?" }, { "Value": "why_did_it_happen", "Label": "Why do you think that happened?" }, { "Value": "what_have_you_tried", "Label": "What did you try already?" }, { "Value": "what_would_you_try", "Label": "What would you try next?" }, { "Value": "what_support_needed", "Label": "What support or resources do you need?" }, { "Value": "how_will_we_check", "Label": "How will we know the experiment worked?" } ], "HelpText": "Use these prompts to coach the operator toward a practical experiment." }, { "Key": "operator_reflection", "Label": "Operator reflection / response", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Capture the operator's own explanation, ideas, or concerns in their words. This builds ownership." }, { "Key": "improvement_idea", "Label": "Improvement idea or proposed experiment", "FieldType": "textarea", "Required": true, "HelpText": "A short, testable experiment: who will do what, what will change, how long the test runs, and what metric will indicate success. Example: 'Try a 15-min buffer change for batch start; measure rejects next 4 runs.'" }, { "Key": "experiment_description", "Label": "Experiment details (steps)", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Step-by-step actions for the experiment so someone else can reproduce it. Keep it minimal and time-boxed." }, { "Key": "owner", "Label": "Owner (who will run the experiment / follow-up)", "FieldType": "text", "Required": true, "HelpText": "Name of the person accountable for executing and reporting back." }, { "Key": "due_date", "Label": "Due date for experiment start / first check", "FieldType": "text", "HelpText": "Date for the first check-in or when the experiment should begin. Use YYYY-MM-DD." }, { "Key": "priority", "Label": "Priority (1 low — 5 high)", "FieldType": "scale", "Min": 1, "Max": 5, "HelpText": "Use priority to help daily huddle triage." }, { "Key": "follow_up_checklist", "Label": "Follow-up checklist", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Options": [ { "Value": "owner_contacted", "Label": "Owner contacted and briefed" }, { "Value": "action_plan_created", "Label": "Action plan created" }, { "Value": "baseline_collected", "Label": "Baseline metrics collected" }, { "Value": "experiment_started", "Label": "Experiment started" }, { "Value": "results_collected", "Label": "Results collected and logged" }, { "Value": "results_reviewed", "Label": "Results reviewed in huddle" } ], "HelpText": "Use these items to track concrete follow-through." }, { "Key": "metrics_to_watch", "Label": "Metrics to watch (how we'll measure success)", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Be specific: metric name, how measured, and target or acceptable range." }, { "Key": "follow_up_date", "Label": "Follow-up / result date", "FieldType": "text", "HelpText": "Date when results were reviewed." }, { "Key": "follow_up_result", "Label": "Follow-up result / outcome", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Summarize outcomes and any quantitative changes. If experiment failed, note why and next step." }, { "Key": "lessons_learned", "Label": "Lessons learned / next steps", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "What did we learn? What should change in standard work, training, maintenance, or design?" }, { "Key": "additional_notes", "Label": "Additional notes or context", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Anything else useful for the team or future review." } ] }