Using 5S to Increase Performance in the Workplace

5S requires a top-down commitment from senioris used to measure conformance to the 5S process.
management to the operator level. Without this any 5SThe structure of the QCDSM process ensures a
program is doomed from the outset. Also there needsdisciplined approach is carried out on every shift day in
to be an infrastructure such as QCDSM in place forand day out.
sustainability and continuous improvement (time andExpectations:
resources, ideas scheme etc.) to ensure the programsYou should be able to achieve substantial levels of
meets your goals and expectations.performance improvement with a structured approach
5S must be properly understood by everyone in theto carrying out day to day 5S activities.
organization. It is not simply a clean up exercise and if it
is portrayed that way then the program will only1. Measurement of performance can occur in many
achieve the second "S" and will be considered a failure.ways and at many levels such as overall factory
It simply works only when management understandsperformance and work team productivity. Overall plant
that 5S is fundamental to good performance ratherperformance is the most important from a competitive
than secondary to it. 5S only succeeds inviewpoint but many other factors can influence this
environments where there is discipline and selfother than 5S. When employing a structured system
regulation in place to ensure that performancelike QCDSM, expect a typical increase of about
standards are maintained and followed.15%-50%
Standards need to be maintained through a simple2. An organization's concern for safety can be a
daily auditing system of different areas, or zones, withsignificant contributor to morale and pride.It can be
a person or small team being responsible for each.measured with Lost Time Injury rates or other
Even with all this in place, long term sustainability willmeasures of safety performance. Up to 70%
only be possible if the system is continually measuredReduction
and improved. The QCDSM program ensures this will3. Cleaning out the junk will sometimes open significant
happen on a daily basis. In addition to QCDSM,space by itself. If an analysis and localized re-layout of
members of senior management must carry outdepartments is part of the 5S effort, there may be
periodic inspections of each targetarea. One commonsignificant savings. However, such space savings must
error by senior management is never being visible onbe consolidated into larger blocks of space to be
the factory floor.useful. 5%-60% Reduction
5S provides the foundation for improving performance4. Absenteeism results from many causes but pride
through continuous improvement. It focuses on:and morale are two of the more important.
· Increasing quality by removing waste from theImprovements in absenteeism, if other factors remain
workplace.constant, can be assumed as resulting from increased
· Provide reduction in operating costs by reducing nonpride and morale. 20%-50% Reduction
value added activities.5. If 5S teams prepare before-and-after spaghetti
· Improving delivery by by simplifying processes anddiagrams, they can measure reductions in walking
removing obstaclesdistance. There are, however, other motion savings at
· Improving safety through improved housekeepingthe micro level (reaching, bending, etc.) that are more
and identification of hazrdsdifficult to measure directly. 20%-50%+ Reduction
· Provide an environment where continuous6. The rigor, discipline and analysis inherent in the
improvement is embraced through workers problemQCDSM approach to 5S implementation can
solving and suggestions, thereby improving morale.contribute to the development of the Continuous
Simply put, 5S works best if the implementation of theImprovement mindset. This occurs when constantly
program is based on the 5S Performancelooking for and implementing improvement becomes a
Improvement Formula:part of the job. One way to measure this is with the
P=Q+C+D+S+MQCDSM Idea/Suggestion program. Expect the number
Where;of suggestions per employee is tracked and reported
- P - Increase productivity.to management. Number of Suggestions 1500%+
- Q - Improve product quality.Increase
- C - Reduce manufacturing costs.If you wish to get more out of your performance
- D - Ensure on-time delivery.improvement budget, reducing the amount that you
- S - Provide a safety working environmentspend and increase the likelihood that these
- M - Increase worker morale.investments will positively impact your company's
Making sure that everyone keeps up the daily 5Sperformance over time, use a structured system like
discipline is a management problem. It may be theQCDSM to manage and maintain your 5S program.
responsibility of the 5S team leader, but it is also drivenWithout a focused approach to 5S implementation like
and supported by the auditing and tracking system thatQCDSM, your improvement efforts will eventually die.