What is the Importance of the 5S Methodology?
To ensure high productivity levels and employee performance, one of the first things you should take care of is the planning and optimization of processes. This is where the 5S methodology comes into play. Incorporating the 5S methodology into the daily operations of a company means much more than an improved organization, sustained cleaning routines, and efficient activity flows. That is to say, the real importance of the 5S methodology is that it will help improve the overall work environment by increasing efficiency, improving workplace safety, reducing waste, and improving existing strategies.
5S is considered to be the foundation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and is an important aspect of the Toyota Production System (TPS). What’s more, it serves as a stable base from which Kaizen projects can be started.
What is 5S?
5S is a methodology that is often summarized by the philosophy of “a place for everything and everything in its place.” It is a type of continuous improvement tool that is used to keep workspaces and resources arranged and maintained in an orderly manner. In other words, 5S is a five step methodology for creating a more organized, productive, and safe workspace. Those five steps are sort, straighten, shine, standardize, and sustain.
How to Implement the 5S Methodology
Step 1: Sort
The first step of the 5S methodology is to sort through all the tools and equipment in your workspace. In essence, separate necessary things from unnecessary things — keep the tools and equipment you’ll need in the work area and remove everything else. By doing so, this will enable you to have a more productive workspace (by eliminating unnecessary clutter), open up space for other things, and make it easier for you to find what you need.
Step 2: Straighten
Once you’ve sorted your workspace, you’ll need to thoroughly organize the tools and equipment that remain in a way where frequently used items can be easily accessed. Straightening your things ensures that every thing has a clear home and can be easily found and returned after use. Additionally, it reduces waste (excess motion) as your things are placed in more appropriate locations.
Step 3: Shine
The third step of the 5S methodology is to thoroughly clean your workspace and all the tools and equipment that are in it. For example, sweep and mop your work area, wipe down equipment, and examine the wear of your tools. In short, the shine step creates a work environment that engages and empowers employees by assigning them more responsibility and accountability over their work area.
Step 4: Standardize
Next, you’ll need to standardize your procedures. Your goal in this fourth step is to capture best practices for 5S as standardized work for other employees. In essence, you need to create a set of guidelines and procedures for maintaining the workspace. This includes documenting the previous three steps and establishing a regular schedule for their implementation.
Step 5: Sustain
Finally, the last step of the 5S methodology is to sustain your improvements by continuously putting in the time and effort to improve your workplace efficiency. In other words, ensure that the 5S methodology is applied on an ongoing basis. This involves reviewing your procedures regularly and adapting when necessary.
