5S (Methodology)

What is 5S (Methodology)?

5S word originally came from 5 Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke. 5S helps to eliminate waste that results from a poorly organized work area (e.g. wasting time looking for a tool). 

5S was developed in Japan and was identified as one of the techniques that enabled Just in Time manufacturing.Two major frameworks for understanding and applying 5S to business environments have arisen, one proposed by Osada, the other by Hirano. Hirano provided a structure to improve programs with a series of identifiable steps, each building on its predecessor. As noted by John Bicheno, Toyota's adoption of the Hirano approach was '4S', with Seiton and Seiso combined.In case of development of the Japanese system of management were used Alexey Gastev's development and the Central Institute of Labour (CIT) in Moscow.

5S can be translated to English as below:

Seiri	Sort
Seiton	Set in order
Seiso	Shine
Seiketsu	Standardize
Shitsuke	Sustain

Sort (Seiri)

·         Make work easier by eliminating obstacles.

·         Reduce chances of being disturbed with unnecessary items.

·         Prevent accumulation of unnecessary items.

·         Evaluate necessary items with regard to cost or other factors.

·         Remove all parts or tools that are not in use.

·         Segregate unwanted material from the workplace.

·         Define Red-Tag area to place unnecessary items that cannot immediately be disposed of. Dispose of these items when possible.

·         Need fully skilled supervisor for checking on a regular basis.

·         Waste removal.

·         Make clear all working floor except using material.

Set In Order (Seiton)

·         Arrange all necessary items so that they can be easily selected for use.

·         Prevent loss and waste of time by arranging work station in such a way that all tooling / equipment is in close proximity.

·         Make it easy to find and pick up necessary items.

·         Ensure first-in-first-out FIFO basis.

·         Make workflow smooth and easy.

·         All of the above work should be done on a regular basis.

·         Maintain safety.

·         Place components according to their uses, with the frequently used components being nearest to the work place.

Shine (Seiso)

·         Clean your workplace on daily basis completely or set cleaning frequency

·         Use cleaning as inspection.

·         Prevent machinery and equipment deterioration.

·         Keep workplace safe and easy to work.

·         Keep workplace clean and pleasing to work in.

·         When in place, anyone not familiar to the environment must be able to detect any problems within 50 feet (15 meter) in 5 secs.

Standardize (Seiketsu)

·         Standardize the best practices in the work area.

·         Maintain high standards in workplace organization at all times.

·         Maintain orderliness. Maintain everything in order and according to its standard.

·         Everything in its right place.

·         Every process has a standard.

Sustain (Shitsuke)

·         Not harmful to anyone.

·         Also translates as "do without being told".

·         Perform regular audits.

·         Training and discipline.

·         Training is goal-oriented process. Its resulting feedback is necessary monthly.

·         Self discipline

·         To maintain proper order

Below are the examples of 5S implementation in organization:

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