Abstract

Lack of organization in the workplace wastes time and lowers productivity. By implementing a lean 5S system - sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain - organizations can create a clean, well ordered, and disciplined work environment. Many companies implement only the first three steps, hoping the last two will automatically follow. However, unless the standardize and sustain steps are formalized, the initiative is doomed to failure and other lean tools will be ineffective. When properly implemented, 5S creates a visual factory that allows for quick determination of workplace status and lays the foundation for an overall lean production system.