About 5S
5S is the name of a workplace organization methodology that uses five Japanese words translated into English, starting with the letter S. This list is a mnemonic for a methodology that is often incorrectly characterized as "standardized cleanup." However, it is much more than cleanup. 5S is a philosophy and a way of organizing and managing the workspace and work flow with the intent to improve efficiency by eliminating waste, improving flow and reducing process unevenness. The key targets of 5S are improved workplace morale, safety and efficiency. 5S also incorporates the use of Visual Management, creating status at a glance, and Poke Yoke or, mistake proofing to minimize errors.
Consider the following questions: How clean is my working environment? How quickly can workers find the necessary tools required to complete their job? How organized is my working environment? What do visitors see when they visit my facility? By effectively implementing 5S the answers to these questions should result in a much happier response. In order to change an entire culture you must first start with the foundation, the place where all of the work happens. 5S tackles what we like to call the "low hanging fruit." 5S typically gives you the biggest bang for the buck, and begins the process of letting every employee know a positive change is coming and their ideas and needs will be met.
A lot of information can be found on the internet about 5S. However, none of that information is useful unless you know how to implement it. We offer a day long 5S training session that walks participants through each of the 5S steps. Beginning with Sort and working your way through Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. A variety of training methods are used beginning with an introductory PowerPoint with actual before and after pictures; this is followed by learning games, a video presentation showing companies documenting their success with 5S and how to successfully perform each 5S step; mixed throughout the day participant's work on a 5S simulation kit. The 5S simulation kit represents a production environment. Many times while participants are going through the simulation they say how, "It's just like this where I work!" referring to some working environments where instructions are not clear or tools are not easily found. Participants leave with a participant's guide so they have reference material they can refer to when they start the 5S process in their facility.
We also offer 5S field implementation assistance after this initial training, after all 5S doesn't happen over night. Our instructors have a great deal of 5S implementation field experience. When conducting a 5S activity for the first time or in a different department for the first time we want to establish employee buy-in. SME's are informed that they are in control of their working environment and we are there to help them improve it; not to dictate what their environment should look like. A kick-off meeting is established where a brief introduction to 5S is presented then planning begins for a 5S activity. Depending on how much training you would like your SME's to have they can participate in the full training described. It takes time to change old habits and sometimes it can be overwhelming to begin a 5S activity. With our years of implementation experience we can help you overcome these obstacles.
Our 5S training is suitable for everyone in your organization. Everyone can benefit from correctly implemented 5S activities from office personnel to maintenance crews and operations crews, janitorial staff to storeroom employees. A single day long introduction to 5S includes an introductory PowerPoint presentation; a 5S game designed to familiarize participants with 5S terminology, the simulation exercise and includes participant workbooks. Group size is not restricted. Our Lean Enterprise Training offers the same 5S training mentioned above and includes presentations on Visual Management and Poke Yoke. Participants in this course will also apply what they have learned about 5S, Visual Management and Poke Yoke using the Ultimate Lean Simulator.
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