This document outlines 5 levels of achievement for workplace organization using the 5S methodology. Level 1 involves just beginning to sort needed and unneeded items, with no standards in place. Level 2 focuses on sorting items and documenting agreements. Level 3 adds visual controls and checking adherence to agreements. Level 4 evaluates items routinely against needs and identifies problems. Level 5 continuously improves methods, shares solutions, and focuses on prevention.

1. 5 S

12. 5S Workplace Organization
Levels of Achievement
Level 5:
Continuously
Improve
Needed items are routinely
reworked/ replaced as
needed to improve work area
performance
Needed items can be
retrieved within 30 seconds
and require a minimum
number of steps
Problem sources are
documented with solutions
defined and implemented
M ethods for housekeeping,
labeling, inspections, and
work place design are
continually improved and
shared externally as
applicable
Root causes have been
eliminated and improvement
actions focus on developing
preventive methods
Level 4:
Focus on
Reliability
Needed items are routinely
assessed against business
needs to assure functionality
and fit
Needed items have been
minimized in number/ size and
are properly arranged for
retrieval and use
Daily inspection occurs to
assess area readiness,
potential problems are
identified and fixed
Agreements for labeling,
housekeeping, inspections,
and work place design are
consistently followed and
demonstrate area
performance improvement
Sources and frequency of
problems are documented as
part of routine work, root
causes are identified, and
corrective action plans are
developed
Level 3:
Make it
Visual
A list of needed items for the
work area has been
documented
Needed items have dedicated
locations and are properly
labeled with required
quantities
Visual controls for
equipment, files and supplies
have been established for the
work area
Work area agreements for
needed item labeling and
visual controls are posted
and followed by work team
Work team is routinely
checking area to maintain 5S
agreements and posting
results
Level 2:
Focus on
Basics
Needed and not needed
items have been sorted and
not needed have been
removed from work area
Needed items have been
safely stored and organized
according to frequency of
use
Key work area items to be
checked are indentified and
documented
Work area agreements are
identified and documented
for needed item organization
and work area controls
5S level has been determined
and posted on the
communication board
Level 1:
Just
Beginning
Needed and not needed
items are mixed throughout
the work area
Items are placed randomly
throughout the work place
Key work area items to be
checked during a sweep are
not identified
No work area agreements
exist
There is no measurement of
5S performance
Sorting Simplifying Sweeping Standardizing Sustaining

15. BEFORE AFTER