Overview

5S is a methodology that helps ensure a productive workplace environment. It was developed by Hiroyuki Hirano, who concluded that a large number of organizations embarking on Just in Time (JIT) fail to realize its potential in the absence of workplace discipline and a clutter-free environment. 5S supports Toyota Production System (TPS) and the principles of lean. It helps reduce non-value-added activities, standardize tasks, and increase work efficiency and productivity in diverse work environments. 5S stands for Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. In a DFTS context, 5S can help address the following issues:

• Streamlining documentation

• Sorting customer orders

• Sorting current and old development software

• Avoiding "feature multiplication"

• Optimizing supply costs

• Standardizing processes and practices

• Creating an orderly development process

• Managing a technology repository

• Housekeeping

• Improving productivity

• Improving the work environment

Hirano has identified 12 types of resistance to 5S. These must be anticipated and handled well for 5S to succeed. The key steps of a successful 5S deployment are management buy-in, training and implementation, link to a reward system, and follow-up and continuous improvement. Effectively communicating the benefits of 5S is critical for a successful and lasting deployment.

Chapter Outline

• 5S: A Giant Step Toward a Productive Workplace Environment

• Implementation Phases of the 5S System

• The 5S System and the DFTS Process

• Overcoming Resistance

• Implementing 5S

• Key Points

• Additional Resources

• Internet Exercises

• Review Questions

• Discussion Questions and Projects

• Endnotes