5S is the name of a workplace managing and organizing method. The concept of 5S seems to be abstract at first glance, however, it is a practical and crucial tool that anyone in the workplace can get the most out of. 
The 5S involves evaluating everything in a specific space, arranging them logically, removing unnecessary items, performing cleaning tasks, and repeating this process. Set in order, standardize, repeat.
The methodology is derived from 5Japanese words including Seiri (整理Sort), Seiton (整頓 Set in order), Seiso (清掃Shine), Seiketsu (清潔 Standardize), and Shitsuke (躾 Sustain).
Sort: Seiri or Sort means sorting items in an order. This is the first step businesses ought to do following the 5S principle. The focus of S1 is to classify and eliminate unnecessary things, which can be sold or reused.
Set in order: Organize remaining items efficiently according to the criteria of easy to find, easy to see, easy to get, and easy to return.
Shine: Regularly clean and keep the workplace cleansed through general cleaning and daily cleaning of machinery, equipment, and working areas. The S3 aims to improve the working environment, reduce risks and accidents, and reduce the influence of dirt improving the capacity of equipment (due to the influence of dirt).
Standardize: Always check and maintain the 3S above. By developing S4, 3S activities will gradually improve according to the targeted standards and move closer to a perfect 5S in the enterprise.
Sustain: This means the previous steps need to be secured through a habit, or necessarily routine.
- Why implement 5S?
- Storing of too many unnecessary items – > take up space
- Unreasonable arrangement of records or organization -> takes a longer time to look for it
- Careless attitude towards working environment, lacking cleaning system, no waste sorting system -> messy and unhygienic working environment
- No shared database, documents are not prepared in time, due to lack of forms -> reduced efficiency, slow contract progress
- Sorting documents from the sources -> when assigning or receiving documents, separate storing is required to filter and avoid lost documents
- Set up regulations when exchanging with clients and colleagues -> specifying the time to respond to work, temporary emergency measures
- Build standardized work process -> work systematically, improve labor productivity, and reduce pressure on employees
- Create a form for all work processes -> avoid piling up work, easy to use when needed
- The benefits of completing the implementation of the 5Scorrectly
❖ For businesses:
+ Improve production systems, increase productivity, reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary costs, improve quality, and achieve higher profits
+ Build a dynamic, responsible, disciplined, professional corporate image and ensure benefits for employees
❖ For employees:
+ Build a clean, enjoyable, and comfortable working environment;
+ 5S prevents the deterioration of factories, offices, and documents, creating ventilation.
+ Raise the employees’ awareness of the sense and responsibility for the assigned work
+ Implementing the right process makes the work more effective, and errors can be easily identified;
+ Encourage the employees’ creativity, promote breakthroughs in management, build businesses
+ Reassured and enthusiastic employees will naturally create high labor productivity
+ When implementing the 5S successfully in the company, it will bring about miraculous change. Unnecessary obstacles are removed from the workplace, and necessary items are arranged neatly and conveniently for users. Machines, equipment, desks, and workspaces will become cleaner. From 5S activities, the team spirit will be enhanced, and everyone’s harmony will be encouraged, through which employees will have a more cheerful outlook.
- Introducing SEN’s services: Providing 5S training and implementation guidance in the work area
This training course is suitable for all individuals in the industry who want to gain more knowledge about health, safety, and environmental practices, especially office greening. SEN’s instructors are leading experts as we have a deep understanding of our customers’ difficulties. We share knowledge and different practical experiences in implementing the 5S in the workplace.
