Purpose of Nemawashi
The primary goal of nemawashi is to create a foundation for smooth and effective implementation of decisions. By engaging team members and stakeholders early in the decision-making process, nemawashi fosters alignment, mutual understanding, and commitment. This practice is particularly useful in complex or cross-functional projects where multiple perspectives are valuable, as it helps address concerns proactively, reducing resistance and increasing the likelihood of successful implementation.
Key Steps in Practicing Nemawashi
Identify Relevant Stakeholders Nemawashi begins by identifying all stakeholders who will be impacted by the decision or change. This can include team members, managers, department heads, and, in some cases, customers or suppliers. Gather Input and Discuss Proposals Informally Once stakeholders are identified, the next step is to present ideas informally, listen to concerns, and encourage feedback. This could involve one-on-one discussions or small group meetings where individuals feel comfortable sharing their honest opinions. Encourage Open Dialogue and Address Concerns Nemawashi is an opportunity to uncover potential obstacles and address them before the formal decision is made. By encouraging open dialogue, you can identify any reservations or areas of conflict and work toward solutions collaboratively. Refine the Proposal Based on Feedback Use the feedback gathered to refine the proposal. Adjustments made based on input demonstrate respect for stakeholders’ perspectives, increasing their confidence in and support for the decision. Secure Informal Agreement Through these discussions, the goal is to secure an informal agreement or consensus before moving forward. This makes the formal decision-making process smoother, as most concerns have already been addressed. Proceed to Formal Decision-Making With consensus in place, move the refined proposal to formal decision-making channels. Because of the groundwork laid during nemawashi, this step is often quicker and more straightforward.
Benefits of Nemawashi
Fosters a Collaborative Culture: Nemawashi encourages a culture of openness and respect by valuing each team member's input. Reduces Resistance to Change: When stakeholders are involved in the planning stage, they are more likely to support the decision and its implementation. Enhances Decision Quality: By gathering insights from various perspectives, nemawashi helps create a more comprehensive and well-rounded solution. Saves Time in Implementation: Addressing potential issues beforehand reduces obstacles during the implementation phase, saving time and resources in the long run. Builds Trust and Transparency: Involving stakeholders early and openly builds trust and transparency, strengthening relationships across teams and departments.
Nemawashi in Lean and TPS
Nemawashi supports lean principles of respect for people and collaboration. Lean emphasizes the importance of teamwork and empowering employees, and nemawashi is a practical way to ensure decisions are well-informed, respectful of all perspectives, and supported by those who will implement them. It aligns with the goal of lean management to create smooth, efficient processes by reducing friction in decision-making and fostering a shared commitment to organizational goals.
Example of Nemawashi in Practice
Consider a company planning to implement a new software system for inventory management. The decision-makers begin nemawashi by meeting with key users from different departments, such as production, purchasing, and accounting, to present the proposed system and ask for feedback. In these discussions, they learn about specific requirements each department has for the software and address concerns about potential disruptions. The proposal is refined based on this feedback, and by the time it reaches the formal decision-making stage, each department already supports the plan. This early consensus makes the formal approval and subsequent implementation smoother and more effective.
Conclusion
Nemawashi is an essential tool in lean organizations for building consensus, minimizing resistance, and improving the quality of decisions. By involving stakeholders in the planning stage and addressing concerns proactively, nemawashi creates a foundation of trust, transparency, and shared responsibility. This approach not only leads to better-informed decisions but also strengthens the organization’s culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
