Getting started with 5S

1. 5S
Getting Started

2. What is 5S?
5S is an improvement process to
ensure everything has a place, and
there is a place for everything

3. • Lean is a method that help improve business
processes and performance
– Focus: Primarily on the process
– Emphasis: Efficiency (speed; flow)
– Goal: Remove waste, improve flow
What is “Lean”

4. The5SCircle
1 Sort
2 Set In
Order
3 Shine
4
Standardize
5 Sustain

5. The five steps in the process are:
• Sort through and sort out. When in doubt, move it out!
• Set things in order and set limits. A place for
everything and everything is in its place
• Shine and inspect through cleaning. To be Lean, you
must be clean!
• Standardize to improve. Create and set standards.
• Sustain for success! Educate and communicate.

6. The Methodology (Steps)
1. Each team of workers is in control of their
own workplace
2. The team focuses on the causes of waste and
how to remove it
3. The team sets standards for basic
housekeeping and orderliness

7. The Methodology (Steps)
4. The team shows that a clean, organized work
place is a foundation for good work flow
5. The team builds a work place that is safe,
clean, and something to be proud of

8. 1st S - Sort through and sort out
When in doubt, move it
out!

9. 1st S Steps
1. Decide where unnecessary items will be
stored.
2. Create guidelines for items not essential to
the area (if an item has not been touched in
3 months, remove it from the area)
3. Identify items not necessary in the area and
red tag them.

10. 1st S Steps
4. Move tagged items to the storage area.
5. Managers & the team decide what will happen
to tagged items. This may include: return to
area, create common area, dispose of, or donate
to a BEE enterprise
6. Post a 5S Circle in a common area and place a 
on the first S.

11. 2nd S - Set things in order and set limits
A place for everything and
everything is in its place

12. 2nd S Steps
1. Marking off common areas, labelling and
identifying everything within the area.
2. Create a standard for the work area,
something to refer to if an item is out of
place or not returned. It should be obvious
something is missing and each item should
be labelled to identify where it belongs.

13. 2nd S Steps
3. Monitoring of the area to ensure this S is
being completed.
4. After 1-2 weeks of monitoring this S, a 
should be placed on the 5S Circle.

14. 3rd S - Shine and inspect through cleaning
To be Lean, you must be
clean!

15. 3rd S Steps
• Create a cleaning plan. The team would do this
by;
– Setting time aside for the ‘spring-cleaning’ activity.
– Create the 5S Cleaning Plan for the area, which may
be daily, weekly, etc.
• Identify what needs to be cleaned, how it should be kept
clean and by whom, and a visual chart to ensure the process
is followed
– Place a  on the third part of the 5S Circle.

16. 4th S - Create and set standards for cleanliness
Standardize to improve

17. 6 Standardize Steps
1. Identify the work area.
2. Decide what the specific tasks are and where
they should happen (specific location). List
them on a sheet of paper.
3. Decide who will perform the tasks. List in
column.

18. 6 Standardize Steps
4. Decide frequency and supplies required. List
in column.
5. Post the list in the work area.
6. Place a on the fourth part of the 5S visual
circle.

19. 5th S - Educate and communicate
Sustain for success!

20. Sustain for success!
• The essence of Sustain is found in the saying,
“Sustain all gains through self-discipline.”
• This S will allow for all employees to be trained in
the 5S methodology.
• A learning environment must be created
supportive to participants attending the training
where the information is linked to issues they
have to deal with in their jobs.

21. 5th S Steps
• Create a 5S Training Matrix
• Regularly conduct 5S Audits
– Once an area has accomplished the 5th 
placement, the team must brainstorm ideas to
continue the 5S momentum