5s is a great tool often used within lean manufacturing that helps organize and manage your working environment. Put simply it’s a way of removing wasteful activities from your workspace.
Lots of lean manufacturing training organizations often start their improvement initiatives with a 5s program as it readies the workforce, providing a firm foundation for improvements that lay ahead.
The good news about 5s is that its easy to learn and simple to implement – while you might find a number of different interpretations of 5s around the web the 5 headings can be generically termed as:-
1 – Sort
2 – Set in order
3 – Shine
4 – Standardize
5 – Sustain
5s is not just for the manufacturing environment – 5s can be equally applied to the office and it’s a really simple and effective way of establishing a continuous improvement philosophy. It’s also really quick to train staff and roll out – and being something that all staff can get involved with it can be a surprisingly effort team building activity.
Listed below is our easy to follow guide on how to carry out a 5s activity in the office
1/ Sort
2/ Set in order
3/ Shine
4/ Standardize
5/ Sustain
5s has many benefits – most of which can directly impact staff morale through a tidier and safer workplace. You’ll be surprised too at the improvements in efficiency you can obtain through a 5s implementation – as people shouldn’t waste time looking for a “lost” piece of equipment or information.
As with all initiatives once the program has been kicked off it takes some effort to maintain the program (consider appointing someone a 5s office champion). But once started the benefits of implementing 5s are there for all to see.