5S is a methodology for organizing
the workplace. It is based on a five
step process. The initials stand for
five Japanese words that do not have
exact translations, but a common attempt
is:
SEIRI Sort: eliminate
clutter and discard items that are
not needed regularly. Items not immediately
required are 'red tagged' and moved
to a holding area. After a period of
time the items that have not been used
are discarded, or removed to a separate
store.
SEITON Set in Order:
organize the work area. This can include
shelves, cabinets, shadow boards and
so on. Everything should have a place,
and it an item is missing it should
be apparent.
SEISO Shine: Clean
the work area. Cleaning should then
become a regular activity.
SEIKETSU Standardize:
Determine the 'best practice' and standardized
it
SHITSUKE Sustain
(or Self Discipline): Continue to keep
the workplace clean and organized.
Everybody should get into the habit
of doing their '5S' duties daily, leaving
their workplace clean and tidy when
they knock off.
5S is an excellent starting point
for process improvement. The organization
gets a significant efficiency benefit
for little cost, it also encourages ‘systems
thinking’. Managers and employees
may be resistant at first, but nobody
can argue with the logic because
we all know that keeping up with
the 'housekeeping'
saves time in the long run. This
can be the foundation for a systems
approach.
