5S in the Office

by April Lothschutz

The application of 5S Workplace Organization and other lean principles in the production area is very common, but these also need to be applied in the office. In this “quick fix” world, time and accuracy can make or break the deal. Whether you are providing a manufactured product or a service, an organized office can make a competitive difference.  

If 5S is applied effectively your office will operate more efficiently, because:

• the most frequently used items and information are the easiest to access
• personnel are focusing upon completion of work instead of searching for things they need
• fewer problems arise since less chaos and confusion exists in the workplace 
• less time and money is spent on replacement of lost/damaged items 

Plus, 5S Workplace Organization is not just an effective lean tool; it can also be a fun project to implement.

• As with any project, clearly define and communicate the objective of the 5S implementation.
• Set up a team to manage and coordinate the implementation.
• Start with a public area that will result in a recognizable improvement. Use this first activity to train personnel, establish standards and market the project.
• Establish guidelines for public and private areas.