Tips for a Successful 5s Event

So you have decided to initiate a 5S plan at your workplace. Congratulations! Here are five tips for success that can help ensure that your implementation is a success.

Don't try to boil the ocean ... start modest for success.
Many implementations fail because they try to implement on a larger scale than they are capable of achieving or sustaining. Start with just one area in your work environment and focus all of your intensity and focus there. By having employees work in different areas outside of their normal surroundings, you can help your team develop better teamwork skills and will build a greater sense of shared ownership.

Plan your work and work your plan.
Nothing can take the wind out of your sails faster than haphazardly starting a 5S project that fails because you didn't have the right resources employed. Ask yourself and challenge your team "What does success look like?" Verify that that you have all the tools that you need for your event. The most omitted items are things like cable ties for red tags and having enough colored tape. Hold a quick huddle event with your team before you get started.

Lead by example
One of my advisors always told me that the rate of the pack is determined by the leader. What he meant was teach by doing. You can have a much greater influence on the success of your 5S Program by being involved! Offer to help move tagged items to the sort area, take blank tags to sorters, or just grab a broom and sweep he newly cleared area.

Sort for Success
The primary step to successfully implementing 5S in your workplace is to eliminate disorder. When setting up your sort things will fall into three categories 1) I need it, 2) I don't use it, or 3) I'm not sure if I need this. For the things you need find and mark a home for them. For the things you don't use or need, dispose of them properly or recycle them. For the things you are not sure if you need segregate them to a holding area and if you use something make a home for it in the work area. Otherwise, after a reasonable time period (usually a week) get rid of the items you find that you haven't used.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Taking before and after pictures to celebrate your project is a great to celebrate your success. You can also use the after picture as a visual aid to demonstrate how the work area should be left after you are finished using it. Creating visual aids is a great way to sustain your 5S program.

Use these tips and get off to a great start with your 5S performance.  For more information check out sites like www.e5saudit.com