5S for the Office

Workplace Organization

5S for the Office, used to achieve Workplace Organization, is an integral part of the Lean Business process. The 5S's are Sort, Straighten, Sweep, Schedule and Sustain. When 5S for the Office is performed as the first step of a Lean effort, processes become more visible and identified "waste" such as excess motion is cleaned out. The goal of 5S training and implementation is to establish workplace organization that develops the disciplined work habits that are crucial in the latter phases of lean implementation.  While change is often perceived with a sense of apprehension, participants in the 5S for the Office program begin to taste change as something that can be positive and even fun. 5S for the Office creates an efficient, productive, and orderly office environment that will serve the customer better.

The benefits of a 5S for the Office implementation include:

TAG's 5S for the Office Services are offered at three different levels to serve three different objectives:

• 5S Blitz - This session is 4-5 days in length and involves working with a team from a particular area or process in the facility. The session includes a combination of classroom work and office floor work. In the classroom, the team will learn the basics of 5S including definitions, benefits, and scoring system. On the office floor, the team performs an initial 5S evaluation to establish a base line. Then the 5S training is actually implemented in the team's work areas to give them an enhanced understanding of the 5S principles while making positive, visible changes to the work environment. An inspection and a score follow. Teams then learn and develop a plan for sustained, ongoing improvements to make the work area 'world class'.
• General Workforce Training - This training is 1 ½ - 2 hours in length and involves groups of 15-20 participants. It is a condensed version of the 5S Blitz activity in which the general workforce learns the basics of 5S in a classroom setting and then moves to the office floor to see examples of 5S. This training is an excellent supplement to the 5-S Blitz Activity as it motivates your associates to sustain the gains made during the blitz.
• Independent 5S Audits - Once the initial 5S program is put into place in your office, maintaining the integrity of program and the scoring is essential to continued improvement. TAG offers a program for recommended quarterly audits of your program by one of our associates. These unannounced audits are performed with an eye for improvement opportunities and serve to keep your scoring system properly calibrated.
  

• What is 5S?
• Common Concerns & Roadblocks
• Why do 5S? - Benefits of 5S
• Ratings

1. SORT (Disposal) - Clearly distinguish between what is needed and kept/what is unneeded and thrown out. Keep only what is necessary in the work area. Store often used items at the work area, store infrequently used items away from the work area and dispose of unneeded items.
2. STRAIGHTEN (Arrangement) - Organize the way necessary things are kept, making it easier to find and utilize them. Everything has a place and everything in its place, providing an efficient way to find items. Not having to search for items saves time.
3. SWEEP (Cleanliness) - Floors, walls, ceilings, equipment and furniture are kept in like new condition. The area is kept clean on a continual basis because a dirty environment cannot produce a quality product. A clean workplace is indicative of a quality product and process.
4. SCHEDULE (System Methodology) - Each department maintains a schedule to insure that the first three S's - Sort, Straighten and Sweep are maintained, preventing regression back to an unclean environment. Items are returned to their designated places after use. The need for special clean-up efforts, which cost time and money, are eliminated. Clean while the task is small and routinely when a task is complete.
5. SUSTAIN (Disciplined Culture) - Practice and repeat the process until 5-S become a way of life. Housekeeping is built into the everyday processes in a continuing, sustaining way. Commitment and discipline toward housekeeping is essential in taking the first step to becoming a World-Class producer.

• 5S Scoring - 5S Board
• Motivate to Sustain
• Keys to 5S Success
• Audit Examples
• 5S Program Summary
• How to Use 5S Evaluation
  

If you're ready to make positive, lasting improvements to your office environment, Contact TAG today to learn more about getting started with this valuable tool in your organization