Six Sigma has many tools and we are going to skim the surface of the 5S tool.
5S is a great system for handling workplace organization.
A workspace that is neatly organized is a safe workspace.
Below are the five important steps involved in 5S and they need to be done in order.
Seiri or Sort:
Go through your entire workspace and remove anything that is not involved in the daily processes. Items that are non-process related should never be in the workspace.
Seiton or Set in Order:
Make sure all things are in their place and that there is a place for everything. Everything has a place and everything in its place. Organize the items so that the daily work processes are made easier. Set the items in a logical order; you should not have to go out of your way to get a tool. Every tool needed should be accessible, as you need them. This will help with flow.
Seiso or Shine:
Daily efforts should be made to keep everything sparkling clean in your new organized, clean workspace. This includes dusting, mopping, and keeping any machines or tools maintained in the workspace.
Seiketsu or Standardize:
Now that your workspace is organized perfectly and sparkling clean, you must create a new standard for the processes to be carried out. This includes organizing how the tasks will be performed. Include charts, process flows, any lists and shift schedules.
Shitsuke or Sustain:
Maintain new practices, and develop team discipline if the processes involve an entire team, or if it is a single person make sure the discipline is part of the company culture. Continuous improvement has no tenure or endpoint.
This is the way.