What is 5S?

What is Quality without continual improvement, one method to include in the improvement project will be the 5S projects.  It could be simple as housekeeping activities to more refine such as conducting monthly audit and award system. Either way it works toward achieving quality workplace.

Supermarket best place to find 5S practice

5S practice is a technique to establish and maintain quality environment in an organisation. The 5S's are a group of techniques to promote workplace organisation, ensure adherence to standards and foster the spirit of continuous improvement.

Principles/ Key Attributes
To successfully convey the message of 5S across the organisation, achieve total participation and systematically implement the practice, establishing effective quality processes as pre-requisites for good products and services, the following step-by-step approach should be adhered:

• Sort (Seiri)

The objective of sorting or organisation is to get rid of unwanted items by focussing on the core items that are needed to fulfil the requirements of the job and discard items that are not needed. This could focus on the elimination of excess inventory affecting, warehouse space, transportation, labour costs, needed items, and redundant parts, for example.

• Set in order/Neatness (Seiton)

Neatness focuses on efficiency, with the main objective being on how quickly one can get the things needed and how quickly those things can be put away. This is achieved through locating a specific place for specific items of a specific quantity, where needed.

• Shine/Cleaning (Seiso)

The objective of cleaning is to identify abnormalities and areas for improvement. This is achieved through a combination of cleaning the workplace and at the same time focusing on the identification of abnormalities or out of control conditions.

• Standardization (Seiketsu)

The objective of standardization is to consolidate the first 3 S’s by establishing standard procedures. This activity is carried out to determine the best work practices and find ways of ensuring that everyone carries out an individual activity the same ‘best’ way.

• Sustain/Discipline (Shitsuke)

The objective of discipline is to sustain improvements and make further improvements by encouraging effective use of the ‘Check-Act-Plan-Do’ cycles. This is achieved through strict adherence to current improvements and the development of an environment for future improvements.

The Impact on functional Activities
The approach embodied with 5S will effect everyone and everything within an organisation. The technique of 5S begins with a promotion plan for the sole purpose of promoting the establishment of the 5S’s. This incorporates everyone within the organisation from the highest level to shop floor level consisting of a blame-free environment. To instill all viewpoints at each level a steering committee is formulated and is responsible for the implementation of 5S.


The next stage is Awareness Training focusing on the dissemination of the 5S plan and its objectives and incorporating suggestion schemes for the ‘buy-in’ of all employees. An Internal Audit highlighting areas for improvement.

By working on 5S, company will be able to reduce tremendous amount of waste in terms of time, space, movement and cost.  5S is a great way to start on lean management, as the principles are basic and easy to apply throughout the organization.