ABSTRACT
5S is a workplace organization method that uses a list of five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke. This chapter describes how to organize a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used, maintaining the area and items, and sustaining the new order. The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization, which builds understanding among employees of how they should do the work. 5S is one of the first tools that can be applied in a company that is starting down the path of the continuous improvement culture. 5S is the perfect tool to identify the first improvement projects in the company to eliminate. Although sometimes viewed as a housekeeping technique, it is actually an innovative management system that helps people think Lean, paving the way for the adoption of Lean.
