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.