5S methodology - the SECRET to Japanese SUCCESS
Published on: November 10, 2021
Last updated: October 21, 2025 Read in fullscreen view
Last updated: October 21, 2025 Read in fullscreen view
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Today, the concept of quality and quality management are not strange to Vietnam enterprises. With the purpose of improving competitiveness in the market, every business must choose its own direction in business as well as in business management practices. However, no matter which way of business the enterprises have chosen yet, or which types of technology the enterprises invested in, humans are still the deciding factor for business success in the industry. Derived from the definition “human philosophy is the center of all development”, 5S methodology was applied in Japan as a platform to successfully apply to quality management system. 5S creates a cleaner environment, convenience and helps the organization / enterprise enable the quality management system application, creating trusts to the customers.
What Does 5S Stand For?
5S, sometimes referred to as 5s or Five S, refers to five Japanese terms used to describe the steps of the 5S system of visual management. Each term starts with an S. In Japanese, the five S's are Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke. In English, the five S's are translated as “Sort”, “Set in order”; “Sweep”; “Standardize” and “Sustain” respectively.
There are five key practices involved in 5S. They are as follows:
| Japanese Term | American Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| SEIRI (整理) |
Sort | Sort through materials, keeping only the essential items needed to complete tasks. (This action involves going through all the contents of a workspace to determine which are needed and which can be removed. Everything that is not used to complete a work process should leave the work area.) |
| SEITON (整頓) |
Set in Order | Ensure that all items are organized and each item has a designated place. Organize all the items left in the workplace in a logical way so they make tasks easier for workers to complete. This often involves placing items in ergonomic locations where people will not need to bend or make extra movements to reach them. |
| SEISO (清掃) |
Shine | Proactive efforts to keep workplace areas clean and orderly to ensure purpose-driven work. This means cleaning and maintaining the newly organized workspace. It can involve routine tasks such as mopping, dusting, etc. or performing maintenance on machinery, tools, and other equipment. |
| SEIKETSU (清潔) |
Standardize | Create a set of standards for both organization and processes. In essence, this is where you take the first three S's and make rules for how and when these tasks will be performed. These standards can involve schedules, charts, lists, etc. |
| SHITSUKE (躾) |
Sustain | Sustain new practices and conduct audits to maintain discipline. This means the previous four S's must be continued over time. This is achieved by developing a sense of self-discipline in employees who will participate in 5S. |
- 5S Seiri or Sort is the first step in 5S, it refers to the sorting of the clutter from the other items within the work area that are actually needed. This stage requires the team to remove all items that clearly do not belong in the working area and only leave those that are required for the processes in question.
- 5S Seiton or Straighten is the process of taking the required items that are remaining after the removal of clutter and arranging them in an efficient manner through the use of ergonomic principles and ensuring that every item “has a place and that everything is in its place.”
- 5S Seiso or Sweep is the thorough cleaning of the area, tools, machines and other equipment to ensure that everything is returned to a “nearly new” status. This will ensure that any non-conformity stands out; such as an oil leak from a machine onto a bright, newly painted clean floor.
- 5S Seiketsu or Standardize is the process of ensuring that what we have done within the first three stages of 5S become standardized; that is we ensure that we have common standards and ways of working. Standard work is one of the most important principles of Lean manufacturing.
- The final stage is 5S Shitsuke or Sustain, ensuring that the company continue to continually improve using the previous stages of 5S, maintain housekeeping, and conduct audits and so forth. 5S should become part of the culture of the business and the responsibility of everyone in the organization.
Reasons for implementing 5S
Implementing 5S requires the participation of everyone in the organization/businesses. It's an effective method to mobilize the human, improve the working environment and promote the productivity. Principles of 5S practice is very simple, which do not require using any complex terms or method in the operating process. Successful implementation will help organizations / businesses achieve higher productivity through these below:
- Seiri (Screening): is screening unnecessary items in the workplace and eliminate them.
- Seiton (Sort): Sort things organized, according to a certain order, making it convenient when using
- Seiso (Clean): hygiene in the workplace so that no trash or dirt appear in the working place (including on the floor, machinery and equipment).
- Seiketsu (Care): is always caring, always keeping the workplace clean, convenient and productive by continuously implement Seiri, Seiton, Seiso.
- Shitsuke (Ready): Create a routine by yourself, maintain convenient working environment.
Basic factors to implement 5S successfully
- With the application of advanced tools of quality performance, the pressure practical application 5S requires the commitment and support of top management through appointing the implementation, focusing on resources, funds and time;
- Training and guidance of all employees in the organization / enterprise so that they all understands the objectives, meanings and methods for implementation. Since then each department / workshop can actively make plans to implement in their units.
- The involvement of all staff is the keys to success of the program 5S methodology. The main purpose of 5S is to create an environment that encourages people to actively participate in, promote the initiative and maintain clean work environment, convenient and safe;
- Maintaining and continuously improve, creating an active principle in the organizations/- businesses nest to ensure the effectiveness of the management and business.
Advantages of using 5S methodology
- Clean work place: Improves workplace safety, fewer hazards
- Establishes standards for operating equipment and conducting processes.
- Less spending on replacing lost or damaged items
- Less stress and tiredness
- Reduced search time
- Reduced lead time and cycle time
- Reduction in materials handlingReduced changeover time
- Improved appearance of the facility and expectation for compliance to maintain that condition = Better impression on clients
- Increased floor space:Decrease in flow distance
- Reduced equipment breakdowns
- Improved morale and pride in the workplace: Greater self-esteem
- Improvement of communication
- Increase in productivity: Greater efficiency in achieving goals
- Better and constant quality of products, services
- Greater readiness for new tasks:Training time reduced for new employees
Disadvantages of using 5S method methodology
The major problems with5S appear when it is not properly understood, used or implemented.
- Misunderstanding of what 5S accomplishes
- Resistance to change: Many people are habitual what they are doing , if we ask them to stop what they are doing probably they start to resist.
- Lack of awareness: Most of the people are not awared about the importance of 5S. Usually they are not trained to. Changing people’s behaviour is not easy, but not impossible either.
- Not addressing real problems in the workplace
- Lack of management support
Conclusion
5S application can be applied in any organization/enterprise: management, production, services, trade. 5S application successfully creates a clean, healthy and safe working environment, bringing great effects and success to the enterprise. Do not hesitate any more, let’s continue the programs to improve productivity and quality by applying 5S methodology!
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