What is 5S
5S is a process to create a smart and functional work environment that is visibly organized, free of clutter, neatly arranged and sparkling clean.
Why 5S
General advantages
- Reduces variability of processes and their outputs
- Improved work environment (safety/comfort/professional)
- Exposes waste
- Gains space
Reduces waste types
When to use 5S
Essential conditions
None
N/A
Non-essential conditions
Standardized Work
Visual Management
Visual Management helps in sustaining the improvements.
How to implement and use 5S
Implementation
General remarkts:
- Start in a well-chosen pilot workspace or process and continue step by step.
- All employees concerned should be involved.
Use
- 5S is not an event, it should become embedded in daily routines.
- E.g. introduce a 5-minute cleanup of the workplace at the end of the work day or shift to get everything back up to standard.
- Periodically audit the workplace using the predefined checklist and share the results with all employees (e.g. by using a spider diagram on a visual management board, an Excel 5S template is available).
- It will take some time and effort to make 5S an automatic way of working, so employee- and organization commitment to success is essential.
Where to find it
IASSC Body of Knowledge:
Lean: 7
Yellow ➔ Apply
Green ➔ Create
Black ➔ Create
Lean Six Sigma: 1.4.5/5.1.1
Yellow ➔ Apply
Green ➔ Apply
Black ➔ Apply
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About the Author
Floris Lap is an IASSC-certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and founder of Procestimal. He empowers organizations to maximize value and reduce waste through practical Lean Six Sigma solutions—contributing to a more sustainable world where businesses thrive with minimal resources. Contact us
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