This document discusses the 5 S's of Lean, which are methods for organizing and standardizing a work environment. The 5 S's are: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Sort involves removing unnecessary items to free up space. Set in Order focuses on carefully storing necessary items in designated places. Shine refers to thoroughly cleaning the work area. Standardize involves establishing best practices and agreeing on standards. Sustain aims to maintain the new changes by rewarding adherence, especially in the first 3 months, which is the toughest period. Implementing the 5 S's can increase production and morale by creating an efficient, clean, and organized work environment.

1. Where the NAME of the GAME is
WASTE ELIMINATION

11. 5-S of LEAN
Sort
Set in Order
Shine
Standardize
Sustain

12. SORT
Begin by eliminating unnecessary items from the
work area. "Red Tagging" is an effective visual
method used to identify unneeded items, which
can then either be moved to a central holding
area or discarded completely. This step frees up
valuable floor space, removes broken or obsolete
tools and fixtures, and makes it easier to focus on
the job.

13. SET IN ORDER
The second S focuses on careful storage so the job
can be carried on effectively. These are the
questions to be asked:
- What do I need to do my job?
- Where should I locate this item?
- How many of this item do I need?
Other strategies for Set in Order are painting
schemes that support the work, outlining work
areas, shelving and cabinets for necessary items,
and standard places for tools and materials
needed every day. "A place for everything and
everything in it's place”

14. SHINE
Once the first two steps are completed, and the work
space is clear with needed work items in their
places, it's time to thoroughly clean the work area.
Why? Because a clean and orderly area makes
work easier, raises morale, and really helps staff
take pride and ownership in their work and work
space. A clean area also makes it easier to spot
leaks, deterioration of equipment, misalignments,
and broken parts that ultimately lead to equipment
failure and loss of production. The impact of the
clean work space will show itself in several ways
on the bottom line.

15. STANDARDIZE
This step should always involve the staff from the job
or area. There are always best practices within a
work function, and the first step is to find these
practices and bring them to the table. The staff
discuss these and come to agreement as to the
best, making these the standard for all work in
that particular area. But don't stop with internal
best practices, encourage staff to look outside the
company, even in other industries. Southwest
Airlines benchmarked the Woods Brothers pit
team in NASCAR to see how their fast, effective
turnaround of vehicles might have application in
the airlines.

16. STANDARDIZE
This last step aims at keeping the new changes in
place, and it's the toughest to implement. Why?
Because people build habits, and even when
those habits are tied to poor methods of work,
they're used to them and find it hard to change.
Find ways to reward maintenance of these new
changes, especially during the first 3 months. You
will find production up, and morale and company
pride on the increase.

17. Got a Coach?
Patrick S. Frazier, CBC
Five Star Performance, LLC
Patrick.S.Frazier@CoachingAuthority.net
574.286.1123