Lean – 5S

One of the Lean Tools that we have used to one degree or another over the last several years is 5S. This is often considered housekeeping and stands for Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. However, I am coming to realize that while housekeeping and an organized workplace are the result of 5S, the purpose of 5S is to make problems visible.

At its most basic level, 5S requires that we ask the question “do we have all that we need in the workplace?”, and “do we need all that we have in the workplace?”, then problem solve when the answer is no. Self discipline and continual improvement are central to achieving success – 5S becomes a way of life in the workplace.

Once the workplace is cleaner and more organized, the elimination of waste and the development of standards can more easily be accomplished.  It is a lot of work, but the results will be well worth it!