Definition

5S is the abbreviated reference to five Japanese words that govern workplace organization and housekeeping. The S refers to the first letter of each element. The basic idea is a place for everything and everything in its place. An ordered workplace helps to improve overall efficiency, by eliminating Waste.

The five words are: Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke.

Examples

Here are the Japanese 5S, the English 5S translations, and the 5C translation.

Seiri >> Sort >> Clear out >> Remove unnecessary items

Seiton >> Set in Order >> Configure >> Organise the things you need

Seiso >> Shine >> Clean and Check >> All equipment and the area

Seiketsu >> Standardise >> Conformity >> Create the new standard

Shitsuke >> Sustain >> Custom and Practice >> Maintain the new standard

Notes

Thanks to Toby Arnold

External Links

MoreSteam Toolbox: 5-S - http://www.moresteam.com/toolbox/5s.cfm