5S is one of the techniques under lean manufacturing.
It is a methodology that is borrowed from strong organizations and one that has become heavily adopted in the world today.
5S stands for Sort, Shine, Set in Order, Standardize and Sustain.
In 5S, the goal is to create a workplace where everything is found in its rightful place.
But apart from this, the methodology minimizes, if not eliminates waste while putting into place a solid framework which allows for the ease in enforcement of discipline which is integral in ensuring continuous improvement.
With the use of this guide, organizations can reap several benefits.
First, unnecessary activities can be reduced or eliminated.
Second, unwanted mistakes are reduced.
Third, the time allocated for training and orientation for employees can be substantially reduced.
Apart from establishing the efficient use of work spaces, the use of 5S methodology can also prevent unnecessary personnel motion.
It can also boost employee safety while ensuring high product quality.
Finally, the methodology can ensure the optimum performance of equipment as well as ensure longer lifespan for these through regular maintenance.
5S is also a vital tool for the achievement of a visual workplace.
In a visual workplace, the emphasis is on making important information readily available to the organization's personnel.
Additionally, having a visual workplace ensures that initiatives for improvement remain in the consciousness of the employees through visual aids, thus leading to consistent adherence.
So why is having a visual workplace important? If you are going to have a thorough assessment of the current setup of your workplace, it is highly likely that there is a high incidence of waste in your facilities as well as in the activities done there.
The main cause of this waste is that employees do not have the knowledge that they need to become efficient and effective in their tasks.
In turn, this lack of knowledge can lead to waste of precious time in searching for tools, retrieving these tools and sometimes, reworking on a product.
With a visual workplace, the employee does not have to waste time finding answers to his or her questions.
It can also improve productivity while decreasing the need for floor and storage space, the number of required forklifts, inventory time and defective products.
In a competitive marketplace, the viability of a venture is ensured not only in expanding its customer base or sourcing lower priced materials and equipment.
Even more important is reviewing all the processes entailed in the production of its products and ensuring production efficiency.
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