5S represents Japanese words that describe the steps of a workplace organization process. English equivalent words are shown in
parenthesis
- Seiri (Sort)
- Seiton (Straighten, Set)
- Seiso (Shine, Sweep)
- Seiketsu (Standardize)
- Shitsuke (Sustain)
In simple terms, the five S methodology helps a workplace remove items that are no longer needed (sort), organize the items to optimize
efficiency and flow (straighten), clean the area in order to more easily identify problems (shine), implement color coding and labels to stay
consistent with other areas (standardize) and develop behaviors that keep the workplace organized over the long term (sustain).
Here is a breakdown of each ‘S’
- Seiri (Sort) - Distinguishing between necessary and unnecessary things, and getting rid of what you do not need.
- Seiton (Straighten, Set) - The practice of orderly storage so the right item can be picked efficiently (without waste) at the right me,
easy to access for everyone. A place for everything and everything in its place.
- Seiso (Shine, Sweep) - Create a clean worksite without garbage, dirt and dust, so problems can be more easily identified (leaks, spills,
excess, damage, etc).
- Seiketsu (Standardize) - Setting up standards for a neat, clean, workplace.
- Shitsuke (Sustain) - Implementing behaviors and habits to maintain the established standards over the long term, and making the
workplace organization the key to managing the process for success.