5S is one of the cornerstone practices of lean manufacturing. It is a systematic framework for workspace organization based on the idea that a better work environment results in better operations, which in turn leads to better products. 5S provides five key steps for maintaining an efficient workspace in order to improve the quality of products: sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain. More than ensuring that a workspace is neat and aesthetically orderly, 5S focuses on keeping everything in its place to maintain consistency in the work environment. Eliminating inconsistencies reduces disruptions to production processes, in turn resulting in reduced waste and a more predictable (and higher) quality of output.

Join for free to read