{"id":919,"date":"2021-10-19T15:20:32","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T21:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/?p=919"},"modified":"2022-01-31T23:59:08","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T05:59:08","slug":"continuous-improvement-plan-5s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/blog\/continuous-improvement-plan-5s\/","title":{"rendered":"Why 5S is the cornerstone of a successful continuous improvement plan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 20px;\">The 5S principles are used by organisations across the world to chart a journey of continuous improvement that can improve a business\u2019 efficiency, profitability and safety. Here\u2019s why 5S is the cornerstone of your continuous improvement plan.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;toc-row-wrapper&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; el_class=&#8221;toc-row-block&#8221;][vc_column_text]<style>                    #joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc.joli-expanded, #joli-toc-wrapper.joli-folded nav#joli-toc.joli-expanded, #joli-toc-wrapper.joli-unfolded nav#joli-toc{padding: 10px !important;}#joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc.joli-expanded li a, #joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc.joli-collapsed li a,#joli-toc-wrapper.joli-folded nav#joli-toc.joli-expanded li a, #joli-toc-wrapper.joli-unfolded nav#joli-toc li a{text-overflow: unset !important;overflow: hidden !important;white-space: normal !important;}#joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc{width: auto !important;}#joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc.joli-collapsed{width: initial !important;}#joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc .title #title-label{text-align: left !important;}#joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc.joli-collapsed .title, #joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc .title{}#joli-toc-wrapper #joli-toc ul {counter-reset: jolicpt !important;} #joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc.joli-collapsed li a:before, #joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc li a:before {counter-increment: jolicpt !important;content: counters(jolicpt,\".\") \". \" !important;}#joli-toc-wrapper.joli-unfolded-ufloating nav#joli-toc ul.joli-nav ul,#joli-toc-wrapper.joli-incontent nav#joli-toc ul.joli-nav ul,#joli-toc-wrapper nav#joli-toc.joli-expanded ul.joli-nav ul {margin: 0 0 0 20px !important;}#joli-toc-wrapper {top: 10px !important;bottom: initial !important;margin-left: initial !important;}body.admin-bar #joli-toc-wrapper {top: 42px !important;bottom: initial !important;}<\/style><div id=\"joli-toc-filler\"><\/div>\r\n<div id=\"joli-toc-wrapper\" class=\"joli-unfolded-incontent joli-unfolded joli-incontent   joli-smoothscroll\">\r\n    <nav id=\"joli-toc\">\r\n        <header id=\"joli-toc-header\">\r\n                                                <div class=\"title\">\r\n                <span id=\"title-label\">Table of contents<\/span>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n                    <\/header>\r\n                <ul class=\"joli-nav\"><li class=\"item\"><a href=\"#build-a-5s-continuous-improvement-plan-foundation\" title=\"Build a 5S continuous improvement plan foundation\" class=\"joli-h2\">Build a 5S continuous improvement plan foundation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"item\"><a href=\"#get-employee-buy-in-for-your-5s-implementation\" title=\"Get employee buy-in for your 5S implementation\" class=\"joli-h2\">Get employee buy-in for your 5S implementation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"item\"><a href=\"#teach-key-continuous-improvement-concepts-through-5s-principles\" title=\"Teach key continuous improvement concepts through 5S principles\" class=\"joli-h2\">Teach key continuous improvement concepts through 5S principles<\/a><\/li><li class=\"item\"><a href=\"#integrating-5s-in-the-workplace\" title=\"Integrating 5S in the workplace\" class=\"joli-h2\">Integrating 5S in the workplace<\/a><\/li><\/ul>                    <\/nav>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Organisations embarking on a continuous improvement journey need a comprehensive road map or plan to guide their efforts and ensure wins along the way. This continuous improvement plan is based on the organisation\u2019s current capabilities and implements initiatives in a logical order. A primary consideration is deciding which <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/best-practices\/\">best practice<\/a> is fundamental to your organisation and will allow people to be effective in executing the continuous improvement plan.<\/p>\n<p>Where do you start? Which best practice should you be implementing first? This blog explores some of the benefits of a continuous improvement plan 5S foundation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"section-title\">Build a 5S continuous improvement plan foundation<\/h4>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/blog\/sustainable-5s\/\">5S<\/a> system aims to establish the principles of discipline, orderliness and cleanliness in the workplace \u2013 principles that are fundamental to world-class competitiveness. 5S is also about <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/resources\/operational-efficiency\/\">maximising efficiency<\/a> and profit, and is often hailed as the first tool to implement as part of a lean manufacturing or continuous improvement action plan, as it creates an environment for other continuous improvement best practices like Kaizen and Six Sigma to prosper:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #0980bc;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">5S is an essential step towards more <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/blog\/maintenance-planning\/\">effective maintenance<\/a> through tidiness and regular inspection of the workplace<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">5S helps to reduce set-up and <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/case-studies\/changeover-improvements\/\">changeover times<\/a> through optimum storage area and workplace organisation, eliminating the time wasted while searching for change parts and tools<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">5S facilitates effective problem-solving by exposing abnormalities<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">5S assists quality control by preventing contaminated products and operator errors<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">Digital 5S, the ongoing effective organisation with management of data and related informatics, is critical to administrative and organisational efficiency<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The strength of the continuous improvement plan\u2019s foundation will determine the strength and sustainability of all other best practices.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"testimonials-copy\" style=\"padding: 0 15px;\">\u201cIf you can do 5S, you can do anything. The company that can do well with 5S can also do well with all the other practices. The company that cannot even implement basic 5S, will not be able to do any of the other things required of a competitive organisation.\u201d<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #0980bc;\"><strong>Takashi Osada<\/strong> \u2013 The 5S\u2019s: Five Keys to a Total Quality Environment\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"section-title\">Get employee buy-in for your 5S implementation<\/h4>\n<p>For the continuous improvement plan to succeed, its participants must identify with and buy into the concepts, and understand how these best practices will benefit their lives. Starting with 5S in the continuous improvement plan is one of the most effective ways to gain support from the participants.<\/p>\n<p>Our experience has shown that the typical shop floor employee is interested in finding out two things when a continuous improvement action plan is introduced:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"font-size: 16px;\">\n<li>\u201cDoes continuous improvement work?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cHow will it affect me?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A well-executed 5S programme can address both these questions, and thus help to garner employee buy-in for the continuous improvement action plan. Once the 5S initiative has been executed, maintain participants\u2019 support for the continuous improvement plan through regular communication and collaboration, coaching and training sessions, leadership support for all continuous improvement initiatives, and a reward and recognition programme to celebrate successes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\" style=\"border-style: solid none; border-width: 1px; text-align: left; padding: 40px 0; border-color: #9ca6ad; margin: auto;\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-bottom: 1.625rem;\">Download the <strong>how-to guide: Driving employee engagement on the CI journey<\/strong> and find out how to create a sense of employee ownership and pride.<\/h3>\n<p><a class=\"btn-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/resources\/employee-engagement-guide\/\">Download the guide<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_right\">\n<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper vc_box_border_grey\"><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-4666\" src=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"326\" data-sitemapexclude=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK.jpg 1634w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK-1024x667.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK-1536x1000.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK-848x552.jpg 848w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK-1140x742.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Driving-employee-engagement-on-the-CI-journey_UK-1170x762.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The following video illustrates the implementation of 5S in five different environments:<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"5S Lean Manufacturing\" width=\"848\" height=\"477\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F7hk_sMings?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"section-title\">Teach key continuous improvement concepts through 5S principles<\/h4>\n<p>The 5S principles<sup>i<\/sup>\u00a0of \u2018Sort\u2019 (discard unnecessary items), \u2018Shine\u2019 (clean up the workplace), \u2018Set in order\u2019 (a place for everything and everything in its place), \u2018Standardise\u2019 (set standards), and \u2018Sustain\u2019 (sustain standards through discipline) \u2013 or whatever your organisation\u2019s translation of the five Japanese words <em>Seiri<\/em>, <em>Seiso<\/em>, <em>Seiton<\/em>, <em>Seiketsu<\/em>, <em>Shitsuke<\/em> may be \u2013 are a good starting point for the continuous improvement plan as they teach participants several essential lean and continuous improvement concepts, for example:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #0980bc;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\"><strong>Eliminating waste<\/strong>: As the 5S initiative gets underway, it is important to emphasise the fact that 5S is more than simply cleaning up. 5S puts into practice the lean philosophy of continuous improvement through consistent reduction and <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/blog\/rapid-deployment\/\">elimination of waste<\/a>. And who better to identify the waste \u2013 such as the excessive movement of operators and equipment \u2013 in a particular work area than the people who work in it every day? The 5S activities show employees the value of eliminating waste: it increases productivity and employee engagement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\"><strong>Empowering employees<\/strong>: The 5S methodology allows management to illustrate how lean empowers employees to make positive changes in their day-to-day work environment. Employees are involved in the improvement and can offer further suggestions for improvement. They understand the value of the improvement because it impacts them and their work process directly, resulting in a continuous improvement cycle. And by empowering team members to take action and improve their own workflow, the continuous improvement philosophy can be fostered throughout the organisation \u2013 building a <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/blog\/culture-of-continuous-improvement\/\">culture of continuous improvement<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\"><strong>Setting standards<\/strong>: 5S teaches employees how to reduce variations, and prevent confusion and misunderstanding by setting standards. A good example of <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/blog\/standard-work\/\">standardisation<\/a> is 5S visual controls such as floor marking red tagging, where labels, colour-coding and demarcation follow very specific safety standards and details such as the right colour paint to be used.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\"><strong>Sustaining improvements<\/strong>: The fifth \u2018S\u2019 in 5S refers to sustaining improvements. Employees learn to measure improvements, conduct audits and develop a sense of self-discipline because they\u2019ll need to revisit the previous four steps of 5S to ensure continual and long-lasting improvements. It becomes a never-ending daily process of sustaining the gains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"section-title\">Integrating 5S in the workplace<\/h4>\n<p>5S must be viewed as a set of principles, values and practices that people eventually adopt company-wide as a guide to working together productively.<\/p>\n<p>To build on the benefits of 5S as an integrated process, consider implementing the 5S methodology in a pilot area together with other foundational best practices such as <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/case-studies\/cross-functional-teamwork\/\">teamwork<\/a>, focused improvement and <a href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/blog\/visual-management\/\">visual management<\/a>. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #0980bc;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">It focuses concentration of effort in one area to achieve results instead of diluting the effort across a wide front<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">It allows learning and experimentation in a confined area, making roll-out easier<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">It develops a visible zone of excellence to act as a role model for the rest of the organisation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">It convinces the sceptics and achieves employee buy-in<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3c3c3c;\">It provides quick results to sustain the momentum<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>5S provides the opportunity to show your employees that a continuous improvement plan is not an abstract philosophy invented by mass manufacturers for high-volume production. Instead, it\u2019s all about taking ownership of an area or process, the freedom and autonomy to improve, pride in excellence, and the ability to control outcomes.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\" style=\"border-style: solid none; border-width: 1px; text-align: left; padding: 40px 0; border-color: #9ca6ad; margin: auto;\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-bottom: 1.625rem;\">Download the <strong>eBook: The definitive guide to integrative improvement<\/strong> to find out how a foundation of best practice can help transform your organisation.<\/h3>\n<p><a class=\"btn-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/resources\/integrative-improvement\/\">Download the eBook<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_right\">\n<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper vc_box_border_grey\"><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-4023\" src=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK-1024x692.png\" alt=\"Def guide\" width=\"500\" height=\"338\" data-sitemapexclude=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK-1024x692.png 1024w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK-768x519.png 768w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK-848x573.png 848w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK-1140x771.png 1140w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK-1170x791.png 1170w, https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Def-guide-UK.png 1260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A continuous improvement plan 5S foundation creates an environment for other best practices to prosper and gets participants\u2019 buy-in for the plan.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4851,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[318,310,314],"tags":[19,20,29,30,31,32,74,75,125,160,161,162,163,164,165,166,167,168,169,170,171,172,173,1445],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/919"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=919"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/919\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traccsolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}