5S may seem like a strange name for a workplace organization strategy, but the name has meaning. It comes from the fact that there are five areas where improvements to the working environment can be made. The technique originated in Japan, so the five categories were originally given Japanese names, all of which happened to start with the letter S. They’ve been translated into English, also with “S” names for the sake of consistency.
The 5 S’s are:
In addition to these five categories, some organizations include ‘Safety’ and consider it a sixth S. When this is included, the system is sometimes called 6S or 5S + Safety. While the other 5s are things that you do. Safety is something that can be achieved when they are well executed.
As we mentioned, maintaining the 5S methodology can be a challenge. Knowing the concepts behind each of the S’s is essential, but putting it into practice takes some effort. 5S checklists are an excellent tool for finding things that are not in compliance with 5S and fixing them. A 5S checklist is also a useful tool for auditing a facility and making improvements where needed.
Managers or operators can take a checklist that includes the various 5S items and go to the Gemba (the place where work is done). They can identify anything that is not 5S compliant and document it so that it can be fixed or improved later. When performing a 5S review, it is beneficial to take a close look at every step of each process and task to ensure all improvement opportunities are identified. Doing so regularly will help facilitate continuous improvement and serve to sustain gains as they are made.
Implementing 5S takes effort and resources, so it is crucial to understand what benefits you will gain. Many benefits, such as fewer defects, reduced maintenance, and repair costs, and a more pleasant place to work, are apparent, but some are unexpected.
For example, an organization that uses the 5S methodology will find that their productivity can increase significantly. This improved efficiency is made possible because many of the obstacles that slow people and systems down have been eliminated or mitigated to allow operations to flow more smoothly.
Waste reduction is another significant benefit. By improving operations, there are fewer defects and more efficient use of all resources. Finally, one of the commonly overlooked advantages of 5S is the improvement in employee engagement and satisfaction. 5S empowers employees to make improvements to their workspace, which benefits the company and allows employees to do their best work.
Implementing 5S is a smart move for any company that is looking to improve process operations. It is straightforward and inexpensive to implement, and if sustained over the long run, it can ensure the company gains advantages that grow over time.