Growing Importance of 5s in the Workplace / Office - Five S Meaning in English
5S is the method for workplace/office organization which uses five Japanese words. The 5S shows you how to organize a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used, maintaining the area and items, and sustaining the new order.
5S Words List :
1 S – Seiri (Sort)
2 S – Seiton (Systematic arrangement)
3 S – Seiso (Spic and Span)
4 S – Seiketsu (Standardize)
5 S – Shitsuke (Sustain)
5S Importance :
1 S - Seiri (Sort) :
Remove excessive items and dispose properly
Make work easier by eliminating complications
Evaluate necessary items with regard to cost or other factors
Reduce chance of being disturbed with unnecessary items
Prevent buildup of unnecessary items
Separate unwanted material from the workplace
Remove all parts which are not in use
2 S - Seiton (Systematic Arrangement) :
Can also be translated as "set in order" or "streamline"
Arrange all necessary items so they can be easily selected for use
Ensure first-come-first-served basis
Make workflow smooth and easy
Prevent loss and waste of time
Make it easy to find and pick up necessary items
3 S - Seiso (Spic and Span) :
Can also be translated as "sweep", "sanitize", "shine", or "scrub"
Clean your workplace completely
Prevent machinery and equipment corrosion
Use cleaning as inspection
Keep workplace safe and easy to work
4 S - Seiketsu (Standardize) :
Standardize the best practices in the work area
Everything in its right place
Every process has a standard
Maintain high standards of housekeeping and workplace organization at all times
Maintain orderliness. Maintain everything in order and according to its standard
5 S - Shitsuke (Sustain) :
To keep in working order
Also translates as "do without being told"
Perform regular audits
Training and Discipline
The five ‘S’ words as per Japanese language are given with its English language meaning. 5S was developed in Japan and was identified as one of the techniques that enabled Just in Time manufacturing.
5s helps put the worker in control, and uses their experience.Everyone and all types of business benefit from having a 5S program.
Manufacturing and industrial plants come to mind first, as those are the business that can realize the greatest benefits. However, any type of business, from a retail store to a power plant — from hospitals to television stations — all types of businesses, and all areas within a business, will realize benefits from implementing a 5S program.
So, 5S is a very important concept/theory which should be followed by every organization to manage their work place/office well. |