5S Workplace Organisation

It would be easy to dismiss 5S as 'just a bit of tidying up', but in fact it goes much deeper than this, providing the foundations for sustainable workplace improvement activities. 5S is applicable in all areas where work is carried out, including offices, manufacturing & other operational areas. This workshop is offered on an in-company basis, to enable practical activities to be carried out in selected work areas. The content can be varied to meet the organisation's precise needs.
5S starts with sorting out what is required for immediate use & either putting away or disposing of any surplus items. Then, a place is found for everything that is needed, & everything is put in its place. Next the workplace is made spotlessly clean, so that any problems will be obvious as soon as they arise. The strength of 5S, however, lies creating a system to hold the gains, & developing a culture in which good workplace organisation becomes the norm. When supported by good visual management practice, showroom conditions can be sustained & continuously improved, bringing major efficiency benefits to the organisation, & greater satisfaction to the employees.
Although simple, 5S is one of the most important elements in the improvement process, and it is a great way to start getting people involved, & to develop a culture of empowerment. Building on the success of 5S, employees are often keen to get involved in other improvement activities.

Course Content

Introduction to the Lean Enterprise
•Lean thinking & customer focus
•Lean vs. traditional approaches
•What can be achieved?

Waste Elimination
•Value-adding activities and waste
•The nine deadly wastes
•Workplace exercise: waste walk

'5S' Workplace Organisation
•How to achieve an organised workplace
•The 5 S's: Sort, Straighten, Sweep, System & Sustain
•Examples & case studies
•Workplace exercise: 5S audit & log improvement opportunities
•Workplace exercise: implementing the 5S's

Visual Management
•Building participation through shared information
•Examples of different types of visual management
•Workplace exercise: visual management survey

Continuous Improvement
•Breakthrough & incremental improvements
•Continuous improvement essentials
•Barriers to success
•Promoting continuous improvement
•Identifying continuous improvement opportunities

Action Planning, Summary & Review