Genchi genbutsu
Genchi genbutsu is a Toyota Production System principle of going to where things happen and observing them first-hand to understand a situation before deciding
What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.
What it is and how it works
The Japanese expression translates as “the real place, the real thing” and is often summed up as “go and see”. It is linked to the gemba, the place where value is created, such as the factory floor, the shop or the customer service desk.
The idea is not to rely solely on reports, aggregated data or second-hand accounts, which may leave out important details. In design and user research it has clear parallels in field observation, contextual inquiry and shadowing, which aim to understand behaviour in its real context.
Also known as
Go and see