Continuous improvement is the act of making incremental and regular improvements, which is often referred to as kaizen.  These improvements are not the same as breakthrough innovations (kaikaku) or radical changes.  When we look at the definition of continuous we learn that the act is performed without "interruption".  The term improvement means that something is made better than it was previously.  Therefore continuous improvement is the act of making things "better" without any interruption.

  A gemba walk is the term used to describe a walk where employees go to observe work at the gemba, which is where the work is done.  The idea is to go and see for yourself at the actual or "real place" of work.  During a gemba walk participants should:

1. Go and See (observe for themselves the place of work).
2. Engage, with the purpose of understanding more about where value is being created and issues or opportunities that might be present.
3. Muda, Muri and Mura - Discover forms of waste.  The gemba walk however is not the time to solve or make drastic changes.  
4. Be respectful of the people at the gemba.  Look for opportunities to hear their thoughts and reflect on ideas with them.
5. Analyze, Assess and Action!