The 5S method is a tool to control outcomes and make continual improvements. It stands for sort, straighten, shine, standardize, and sustain. You can use it for any process or service.
Sorting is just as it states, organizing and separating what you need and don’t need.
Straighten means to straighten up and arrange items you need for your process or service so they are easily identified.
Shine means to clean up your area and set it up where you can keep it clean.
Standardize means to organize the first three s’s so everything has a place.
Sustain means to keep it going in all of your areas. The 5 S method improves process flow, reduces space requirements, increases environmental and safety compliance, improves communication, boosts morale, removes non value added steps, and reduces wasted time looking for items.
5S means the workplace is clean there is a place for everything and everything is in its place.
5S helps you by eliminating the unnecessary, establishing a place for what remains, and cleaning up remaining equipment, tools, and storage devices. This helps reduce clutter and needed items are readily found. Use visual cues and visual management such as signs, labels, stickers, and cards marking where things go.
The steps to the 5S are listed here:
- Sort—Eliminate whatever is not needed
- Straighten—Organize whatever remains
- Shine—Clean the work area
- Standardize—Schedule regular cleaning and maintenance
- Sustain—Make 5S a way of life
Having Japanese origins you can see the English and Japanese translations for 5 S no matter the language, the principles are the same. Sorting Straightening Shining Standardizing and Sustaining.
Before 5S During 5 S After 5 S