5S is a methodology that can be used to implement an maintain a clean and well-organized workplace.
It Follows the old adage of "a place for everything and everything in its place" 5S involves 5 step process with increasing levels of organization and commitment.
When and How to Use It?
- 5S should be considered when the workplace seems messy, cluttered and disorganized. With poor workflow, work inefficiencies can occur due to wasted efforts and non-value added activities.
- 5S provides a simple step-wise approach to cleaning an putting order to the workplace.
- The best time to use 5S is at the beginning. Before any major improvement effort begins, it is usually best to organize to reduce the chaos. This will not only allow the improvement team to see the processes as they should, but it may also solve some of the obvious inefficiencies right at the beginning.
The process includes 5 levels with the following Japanese names.
- Seiri-Sort
- Seiton- Store
- Seiso-Shine
- Seiketsu-Standarize
- Shitsuke-Sustain
The five process steps can be summarized as follows:
Step One: Seiri - Sort
The objetive of this step is to eliminate from the immediate work area everything that is not required for the job. This step includes the sorting of the items in the work area to determine which items are actually necessary for the job and which items can be removed.
Step Two: Seiton - Store
The objetive of this step is to provide order to the items that remain from the first step. Here, the remaining items and equipment that are deemed necessary for the job, must be organized in a manner that simplifies acces.
Step Three: Seiso - Shine
The objetive of this step is to keep the work area neat and tidy. This step requires a process to regularly clean and maintain the work area and equipment as well as putting everything into its designated storage areas for easy acces later.
Step Four: Seiketsu - Standarize
The objetive of this step is to apply the three previous steps throughout all areas as a standard approach. This includes not only the "What" or implementation of the three steps. but also the "How" or methods of achieving the three steps. If specific storage methods, layouts and visual indications are used successfully in one area, this approach should be applied wherever possible as a standard procedure. Such a standarized approach means that the procedures will not only be easier to learn and practice but also easier to sustain.
Step Five: Shitsuke - Sustain
The objetive of this step is to insure that the first four steps are sustained as part of the daily routine or culture in the workplace. This means that a process must be put in place that encourages the discipline of aplllying the first four steps.