Laserfiche WebLink
TechTrends e-Newsletter I July 2004 Page 5 of 6 <br /> The 5S System Demystified <br /> 0 <br /> III ,( Sort, standardize, sustain. See? You're more than halfway there. <br /> Still not convinced that you have time to explore and adopt lean principles? <br /> Consider the 5S system for workplace organization and standardization. It's that <br /> rarest of practices—something that delivers results almost immediately in the form <br /> of waste reduction in waste and productivity gains. Imported from Japan in the late <br /> c' 1990s, the 5S system derives its handle from five steps loosely translated as <br /> 4 <br /> • Sort <br /> • Set in Order <br /> • Shine <br /> f <br /> • Standardize <br /> • Sustain. <br /> 0 <br /> Step 1: Sort <br /> Start by separating needed elements from those unnecessary for accomplishing a <br /> designated task. Here's one way to do it: Walk through the department or shop <br /> floor armed with large, brightly colored tags. Tag anything not essential to <br /> completing the task (obsolete tools or machinery, forgotten overruns, excess waste <br /> bins, etc.). Next, have all managers and supervisors tour the space, evaluating <br /> what's been tagged, and why. <br /> Step 2: Set in Order <br /> • e <br /> Haul away the nonessentials, and rearrange machinery and production tools to <br /> maximize space and accessibility. This may involve grouping materials into tight <br /> cells that will eliminate the amount of time a product travels from one station to the <br /> next, or placing clearer, larger labels on supplies—it varies from one department to <br /> the next. <br /> Step 3: Shine <br /> o <br /> Now that everything is in its right place, clean and repair the area from top to <br /> F bottom. Doing so will reveal structural or surface imperfections, mechanical wear, <br /> `' and the like. Tending to these now will save you time and money in the long run. <br /> And never underestimate aesthetic improvements such as fresh paint—they can <br /> have a big impact on employee morale and performance. <br /> Step 4: Standardize <br /> Step back and admire what the first three steps have wrought—and pledge to keep <br /> it that way. Develop a systematic evaluation and documentation process, including <br /> maintenance schedules, cleaning procedures, and the like. <br /> k <br /> Step 5: Sustain <br /> i <br /> It happens all the time: Shortly after a housekeeping blitz, disorder and <br /> • <br /> inefficiencies creep back. This step is ongoing and cultural; top management must <br /> recognize the effort and value of the first four steps, and commit to sustaining <br /> I them. <br /> 0 <br /> http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2004/July/printVersion.asp 7/23/2004 <br />