What is 5S?

Simply put, 5S is a method for organizing a workplace, especially a shared workplace

(like a shop floor or an office space). It's sometimes referred to as a housekeeping
methodology, however this characterization can be misleading because organizing a
workplace goes beyond housekeeping (see discussion of "Seiton" below).

The key targets of 5S are workplace morale and efficiency. The assertion of 5S is, by
assigning everything a location, time is not wasted by looking for things. Additionally, it
is quickly obvious when something is missing from its designated location. 5S advocates
believe the benefits of this methodology come from deciding what should be kept, where
it should be kept, and how it should be stored. This decision making process should lead
to a dialog which can build a clear understanding, between employees, of how work
should be done. It also instills ownership of the process in each employee.

In addition to the above, another key distinction between 5S and "standardized cleanup"
is Seiton. Seiton is often misunderstood, perhaps due to efforts to translate into an
English word beginning with "S" (such as "sort" or "straighten"). The key concept here is
to order items or activities in a manner to promote work flow. For example, tools should
be kept at the point of use, workers should not have to repetitively bend to access
materials, flow paths can be altered to improve efficiency, etc.

The 5S's are:

• Seiri (整理): Separating. Refers to the practice of going through all the tools,
materials, etc., in the work area and keeping only essential items. Everything else
is stored or discarded. This leads to fewer hazards and less clutter to interfere with
productive work.
• Seiton (整頓): Sorting. Focuses on the need for an orderly workplace. "Orderly"
in this sense means arranging the tools and equipment in an order that promotes
work flow. Tools and equipment should be kept where they will be used, and the
process should be ordered in a manner that eliminates extra motion.
• Seisō (清掃): Shine. Indicates the need to keep the workplace clean as well as
neat. Cleaning in Japanese companies is a daily activity. At the end of each shift,
the work area is cleaned up and everything is restored to its place. The key point
is that maintaining cleanliness should be part of the daily work - not an occasional
activity initiated when things get too messy.
• Seiketsu (清潔): Standardizing. This refers to standardized work practices. It
refers to more than standardized cleanliness (otherwise this would mean
essentially the same as "systemized cleanliness"). This means operating in a
consistent and standardized fashion. Everyone knows exactly what his or her
responsibilities are.
• Shitsuke (躾): Sustaining. Refers to maintaining standards. Once the previous 4S's
have been established they become the new way to operate. Maintain the focus on
 this new way of operating, and do not allow a gradual decline back to the old
ways of operating.

Translations and modifications

Often in the west, alternative terms are used for the five S's. These are "Sort, Straighten,
Shine, Systemize and Sustain". "Standardize" is also used as an alternative for
"Systemize". Sometimes "Safety" is included as 6th S. Similarly 5Cs aim at same goal
but without the strength of maintaining the 5S name.

• Clearout and Classify

o Clearing items no longer required
o Tagging items that may be required and storing away from workplace
• Configure
o A specific place for specific items
o “ A place for everything & everything in its place”
• Clean and check
o Identify cleaning zones, establish cleaning routines
• Conformity
o Consolidate the previous 3C’s by standardizing the new process and use of
‘Visual Management’
• Custom and practice
o Monitor process adherence
o Continually validate process
o Make further improvements using the PDCA cycle, otherwise known as
the Deming cycle

Alternative acronyms have also been introduced, such as CANDO (Cleanup, Arranging,
Neatness, Discipline, and Ongoing improvement). Even though he refers to the ensemble
practice as "5S" in his canonical work, Hirano[1] prefers the terms Organization,
Orderliness, Cleanliness, Standardized Cleanup, and Discipline because they are better
translations than the alliterative approximations. In the book, there is a photo of a
Japanese sign that shows the Latin "5S" mixed with Kanji.

Additional practices are frequently added to 5S, under such headings as 5S Plus, 6S,
5S+2S, 7S, etc. The most common additional S is for Safety mentioned above, and James
Leflar writes[2] that Agilent adds Security as the seventh (7th) S. Purists insist that the
other concepts be left out to maintain simplicity and because Safety, for example, is a
side-benefit to disciplined housekeeping.

Relation to other concepts

5S is used with other Lean concepts such as SMED, TPM, and Just In Time (JIT). The 5S
discipline requires clearing out things which are not needed in order to make it easier and
faster to obtain the tools and parts that are needed. This is the foundation of SMED,
which in turn enables JIT production. The first step in TPM is operator cleanup of
machines, a mandate of 5S. Masaaki Imai includes use of the 5S strategy in his book[3] on
Kaizen.

Implementation
5S in a business context

The 5S methodology has been adopted into a variety of organizations from small business
to Fortune 500 companies. All implement the 5S's in the hope to improve productivity
and performance. Peterson, Jim & Smith, Roland give examples[4] of the uses of 5S in the
business context. Such organizations and their achievements include:

Hewlett-Packard Support Center

• Improved levels of quality communication and information sharing

• Reduced training cycle for new employees
• Reduced call backs
• Reduced call time per customer

Boise Cascade

• Reduced stored parts inventory at one facility by $300,000

• Incident rate divisionwide reduced by 1.5%
• Reduced machine Downtime
• Office and plant space made available

Boeing

• Improved productivity
• Improved morale
• Increased levels of product quality
• Improved safety