This is a guest submission by Manoj Singh.

5S is considered as foundation and gateway of all kind of improvements. Successfully

implemented 5S gives amazing results through employee workplace discipline.
Remember, serious commitment from top management is required for successful
implementation of 5S.
In this article, Manoj has explained how you can implement 5S effectively in 10 steps.
You might be knowing what 5S is. If not see the definition of 5S in the following box.

5S (FIVE S)
Sort: Remove unwanted item from workplace and dispose them properly
Set in order: Arrange every item as per its usage frequency making it easily available
for use - A place for everything and everything in its place
Shine: Clean the workplace and look for the source, which is adding dirty substance and
work towards eliminating that source
Standardize: Everything in right order as per set standards, with high standard of
housekeeping. Each workplace should have proper layout display
Sustain: Properly trained team / individuals which practice 5S without being told. Series
of audits are done to understand the effectiveness

5S

10 Steps for Effective Implementation of 5S

1. Complete buy in from top management for 5S implementation - It is very
important before you go for 5S implementation you should bring top management
onboard. They should know clearly about the difficulties and benefits of 5S
implementation, and ready to give their full support for it.
2. Prepare Internal trainers on 5S topic Develop internal trainers for 5S
implementation. Internal trainer must be trained properly by 5S expert or from formal
institute. Select internal trainer from employees who is keen to become trainer and
willing to spare his time for the effective implementation of 5S.
3. Departmental training by internal trainers - Train senior team members of each
department, clearly making them understand the benefits and commitment required by
each team members towards 5S implementation. Prepare detail time and action plan for
training each department team.
4. Initiate pilot implementation in each department - Each department should initiate
the 5S project in their respective work area. All projects need to be documented.
5. Train all employees in each department with Pilot implementation example of
5S - For successful company-wide 5S implementation; training of all employees in each
department is necessary. Pilot 5S implementation example could be used for training
and motivating other employees, since it was being done by their team leaders of
department. 5S posters, banners and pocket books should be distributed in each
department.
6. Take commitment from each employee for initiating 5S in their work areas During 5S training take commitment from all employees for initiating 5S in their
respective work area. Every individual employees contribution is required for the
sustainable 5S implementation.
7. Facilitate and supervise the mass implementation of 5S - Employees need
guidance and handholding during implementation. They might have lots of queries while
doing implementation. In such case internal trainer need to answer their questions and
verify their understanding for effective implementation.
8. Weekly and monthly audit for checking the performance of 5S implementation
In order to make company-wide 5S implementation sustainable, regular audit needs to
be performed with set standards for each work place. Audit summary report need to be
circulated among all departments.

9. Evaluate and identify the best 5S implementation in each department - After

audit best 5S implementation needs to be identified in each department and also best
5S implemented department on monthly basis.
10. Celebrate through monthly recognition from top management for the best 5S
implementation - Best 5S project and departmental performance need to be rewarded.
This keeps high motivation towards 5S projects which helps to sustain the company
wide 5S implementation.