"Gemba" is a Japanese word meaning "'the real place' where real action occurs: where products are developed ... and made, and where services are provided. [Improvement] should be focused [in gemba] where they'll do the most good."

Software developers and testers: enjoy reading a quality improvement book that puts you and your work at the center. Managers and executives: be refreshed about what your workers need from you, and what you can expect of your workers.

Masaaki Imai has half a century of experience helping companies continuously improve. The quality challenge for software companies is how to interpret these ideas in software development as opposed to manufacturing. Read this book and ask yourself: where is gemba in your company?

This is a delightful little book that provides important insights into how an organization can be successful by continuously looking at improving its operations, enhance efficiencies and refining operations. This would result in improved quality, productivity and ultimately profit for an organization but without the upheavals and pain associated with the likes of business process reengineering which is advocated by some people.

The author advocates the adoption of lean manufacturing principles, just-in-time processes, and Kanban, which should result in increased company profitability without adversely impacting employee morale and trust. The concepts highlighted in the book are well-known and the author consolidates these in a small book that makes easy and fast reading and a convenient reference guide for practitioners.

The book is recommended reading for managers involved in the implementation of lean manufacturing and Kaizen principles.