In previous post I had explained about 4 stages to achieve management innovation. The first stage is about workers awareness innovation in your organization. 5S method is a great way to clear this stage.
About 5S definition we can find it in internet, simply 5S is [整理:Seiri、整頓:Seiton、清掃:Seisou、清潔:Seiketsu、躾:Sitsuke], Based on five Japanese words that begin with ‘S’, the 5S Philosophy focuses on effective work place organization and standardized work procedures. Lets look at the Definitions of every ‘S’.
(1) 整理：Seiri (Tidiness)
- Distinguish the necessary items from the unnecessary ones.
- Separate necessary from unnecessary information.
The first step of the "5S" process, Seiri, refers to the act of throwing away all unwanted, unnecessary, and unrelated materials in the workplace. People involved in Seiri must not feel sorry about having to throw away things. The idea is to ensure that everything left in the workplace is related to work. Even the number of necessary items in the workplace must be kept to its absolute minimum. Because of Seiri, simplification of tasks, effective use of space, and careful purchase of items follow.
(2) 整頓:Seiton (Orderliness)
- Anyone can access or return necessary item, any time in the quantity needed.
Seiton, or orderliness, is all about efficiency. This step consists of putting everything in an assigned place so that it can be accessed or retrieved quickly, as well as returned in that same place quickly. If everyone has quick access to an item or materials, work flow becomes efficient, and the worker becomes productive. The correct place, position, or holder for every tool, item, or material must be chosen carefully in relation to how the work will be performed and who will use them. Every single item must be allocated its own place for safekeeping, and each location must be labeled for easy identification of what it's for.
(3) 清掃:Seisou(Cleanliness)
- Clean the workplace; everyone should be a janitor
Seisou, the third step in "5S", says that 'everyone is a janitor.' Seisou consists of cleaning up the workplace and giving it a 'shine'. Cleaning must be done by everyone in the organization, from operators to managers. It would be a good idea to have every area of the workplace assigned to a person or group of persons for cleaning. No area should be left unclean. Everyone should see the 'workplace' through the eyes of a visitor - always thinking if it is clean enough to make a good impression.
(4) 清潔:Seiketsu(Standardization)
- Standardize the way of maintaining cleanliness
The fourth step of "5S", or Seiketsu, more or less translates to 'standardized clean-up'. It consists of defining the standards by which personnel must measure and maintain 'cleanliness'. Seiketsu encompasses both personal and environmental cleanliness. Personnel must therefore practice 'Seiketsu' starting with their personal tidiness. Visual management is an important ingredient of Seiketsu. Color-coding and standardized coloration of surroundings are used for easier visual identification of anomalies in the surroundings. Personnel are trained to detect abnormalities using their five senses and to correct such abnormalities immediately.
(5) 躾:Sitsuke(Discipline)
- Practice 'Five S' daily - make it a way of life; this also means 'commitment'
This is by far the most difficult S to implement and achieve. Human nature is to resist change and more than a few organizations have found themselves with a dirty cluttered shop a few months following their attempt to implement 5S. The tendency is to return to the status quo and the comfort zone of the "old way" of doing things. Sustain focuses on defining a new status quo and standard of work place organization.
The definition of 5S is like above, it looks very easy but in reality even in Japan most of companies failed to gain result from 5S activities. Most of CEO just understands the 5S by the definition without knowing what 5S philosophy is and how to use 5S to innovate the management system. Even they understand the theory most of them will relate 5S to tidiness, cleanliness. They will be satisfied when the workplace looks clean and tidy. It’s not about the result, it’s about the process of how you coach your worker in implementing 5S. Therefore some organization need experts to coach them. There is big difference between workplace that is clean without using 5S and the one using 5S. In order to apply 5S in our organization we must first really understand the philosophy of 5S. I will explain it in my future post.
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