This is a guest submission by Manoj Singh.
5S is considered as foundation and gateway of all kind of improvements. Successfully implemented 5S gives amazing results through employee workplace discipline. Remember, serious commitment from top management is required for successful implementation of 5S.
In this article, Manoj has explained how you can implement 5S effectively in 10 steps.
You might be knowing what 5S is. If not see the definition of 5S in the following box.
1. Complete buy in from top management for 5S implementation - It is very important before you go for 5S implementation you should bring top management onboard. They should know clearly about the difficulties and benefits of 5S implementation, and ready to give their full support for it.
2. Prepare Internal trainers on 5S topic – Develop internal trainers for 5S implementation. Internal trainer must be trained properly by 5S expert or from formal institute. Select internal trainer from employees who is keen to become trainer and willing to spare his time for the effective implementation of 5S.
3. Departmental training by internal trainers - Train senior team members of each department, clearly making them understand the benefits and commitment required by each team members towards 5S implementation. Prepare detail time and action plan for training each department team.
4. Initiate pilot implementation in each department - Each department should initiate the 5S project in their respective work area. All projects need to be documented.
5. Train all employees in each department with Pilot implementation example of 5S - For successful company-wide 5S implementation; training of all employees in each department is necessary. Pilot 5S implementation example could be used for training and motivating other employees, since it was being done by their team leaders of department. 5S posters, banners and pocket books should be distributed in each department.
6. Take commitment from each employee for initiating 5S in their work areas - During 5S training take commitment from all employees for initiating 5S in their respective work area. Every individual employee’s contribution is required for the sustainable 5S implementation.
7. Facilitate and supervise the mass implementation of 5S - Employees need guidance and handholding during implementation. They might have lots of queries while doing implementation. In such case internal trainer need to answer their questions and verify their understanding for effective implementation.
8. Weekly and monthly audit for checking the performance of 5S implementation – In order to make company-wide 5S implementation sustainable, regular audit needs to be performed with set standards for each work place. Audit summary report need to be circulated among all departments.
9. Evaluate and identify the best 5S implementation in each department - After audit best 5S implementation needs to be identified in each department and also best 5S implemented department on monthly basis.
10. Celebrate through monthly recognition from top management for the best 5S implementation - Best 5S project and departmental performance need to be rewarded. This keeps high motivation towards 5S projects which helps to sustain the company-wide 5S implementation.
5S is considered as foundation and gateway of all kind of improvements. Successfully implemented 5S gives amazing results through employee workplace discipline. Remember, serious commitment from top management is required for successful implementation of 5S.
In this article, Manoj has explained how you can implement 5S effectively in 10 steps.
You might be knowing what 5S is. If not see the definition of 5S in the following box.
5S (FIVE S)
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| 5S |
10 Steps for Effective Implementation of 5S
1. Complete buy in from top management for 5S implementation - It is very important before you go for 5S implementation you should bring top management onboard. They should know clearly about the difficulties and benefits of 5S implementation, and ready to give their full support for it.
2. Prepare Internal trainers on 5S topic – Develop internal trainers for 5S implementation. Internal trainer must be trained properly by 5S expert or from formal institute. Select internal trainer from employees who is keen to become trainer and willing to spare his time for the effective implementation of 5S.
3. Departmental training by internal trainers - Train senior team members of each department, clearly making them understand the benefits and commitment required by each team members towards 5S implementation. Prepare detail time and action plan for training each department team.
4. Initiate pilot implementation in each department - Each department should initiate the 5S project in their respective work area. All projects need to be documented.
5. Train all employees in each department with Pilot implementation example of 5S - For successful company-wide 5S implementation; training of all employees in each department is necessary. Pilot 5S implementation example could be used for training and motivating other employees, since it was being done by their team leaders of department. 5S posters, banners and pocket books should be distributed in each department.
6. Take commitment from each employee for initiating 5S in their work areas - During 5S training take commitment from all employees for initiating 5S in their respective work area. Every individual employee’s contribution is required for the sustainable 5S implementation.
7. Facilitate and supervise the mass implementation of 5S - Employees need guidance and handholding during implementation. They might have lots of queries while doing implementation. In such case internal trainer need to answer their questions and verify their understanding for effective implementation.
8. Weekly and monthly audit for checking the performance of 5S implementation – In order to make company-wide 5S implementation sustainable, regular audit needs to be performed with set standards for each work place. Audit summary report need to be circulated among all departments.
9. Evaluate and identify the best 5S implementation in each department - After audit best 5S implementation needs to be identified in each department and also best 5S implemented department on monthly basis.
10. Celebrate through monthly recognition from top management for the best 5S implementation - Best 5S project and departmental performance need to be rewarded. This keeps high motivation towards 5S projects which helps to sustain the company-wide 5S implementation.
| About the Author Manoj Singh has wide experience of over 11 years in garment industry in India and abroad. He has done consulting for over 7.5 years and his services has benefited above 70 factories in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Dubai. He has actively worked with Factories, Brands, International funding agencies, Garment Clusters, Boards and Councils and other consulting firms. He is currently working as Executive Director (Training & Development) in Gaint Group (Bangladesh). |