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| Management Tools |
| The Five S's: Simple stgeps to improve efficiency |
In Japan, businesses commonly employ an organizational process known as a Five S program. The focus of the program is visual order, organization, cleanliness and standardization, and Japanese companies have been using it for years to improve profitability, efficiency, service, and safety. U.S. companies are taking notice, and the program is so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t already used it. (As an experiment, look around at the individual workstations in your own firm and see which employees already have a 5S workstation, and then compare mentally to see if they aren’t some of the most valuable, efficient employees at your business).
Step 1: Seiri = Sorting
When you sort, you go through everything in each work area. You keep only what is necessary. Things that are not used frequently should be moved to a common storage area. Anything that is never used should be discarded, or donated to a charitable organization.
Step 2: Seiton = Systematize (Organize)
Your grandmother taught you this step: A place for everything and everything in its place. Basically, when you organize you have two goals: 1) Put everything in its proper place; 2) Set up a system so that it’s easy to put things back where they go. You may label the compartments in your desk drawer, put a shadow drawing behind each of your tools so you know where each belongs, or mark off sections of the warehouse floor to distinguish between traffic areas and storage areas.
Step 3: Seiso = Sweep (regular cleaning)
In Japan, cleaning is a daily activity, and each employee has specific responsibilities. Cleaning simply means restoring everything to its proper place at the end of the day.
Step 4: Seiketsu = Standardizing (simplifying)
Develop a simple process and work structure that will make your new practices into habits. Put your tools away first, then sweep your workstation. Put papers to go home into your briefcase first, file other papers second, and return the stapler and scissors to your drawer third. At home, discard garbage and leftover food first, carry all dishes to the dishwasher second, and wipe the counter third. Develop a simple, standardized pattern for keeping things neat.
Step 5: Shitsike = Sustaining
It takes a sixth S to master this step: “Self-Discipline.” You need to sustain your new housekeeping habits to keep things safe and efficient. If you’ve organized your bookshelf, don’t derail your new system by piling books on your credenza. Discipline yourself to put them away immediately—you’ll save the step of putting them away.
Source: BLR SafetyWorks Newsletter http://safety.blr.com/samples/safetyworks.pdf
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