5S Issues - A New Management Approach
Article Index
A New Management Approach
The last two 5S phases (Standardization and Consideration) facilitate simple practices through the application of this new way of working and progressive activity.
The 5S approach has a role in the implementation of a new management approach based on the confidence and self-determination of the work teams.
For success, the hierarchy must maintain the 5S application by allocating the necessary resources. The integration of this approach in a structured and logical framework, such as Lean Manufacturing, is an additional accelerator for progress.
{mosimage} The usual 5S point of Lean Manufacturing (or Just Necessary) is the adoption of strong principles (principle = guide for activity) that will become an integral part of the companys procedures. These principles include:
- Visual management
- Collective energy
- Continuous improvement (or Kaizen spirit)
The desire to apply the 5S approach is already a powerful force for the application of these principles.
The progressive transformation of this activity where each individual thinks in terms of VISUAL, ENERGY, and PROGRESS creates very important direct and indirect advantages in all the areas of a company with particular focus on:
- the continuous consideration of security regulations, which is already a major issue,
- the quality of the product and associated service (including lead times) since this is also a concern for handling differences in even the most minor established situations in the art of regulations, and
- costs associated with the reduction of misfunctionnings that affect the energy of the entire group.
The indirect issues are even more important since they concern the application of the best company practices regarding collective effectiveness where communication is one of the primary components for managing change.
However, these management tools always demand a lot of energy and heavy involvement for all, which is one of the major consequences, but often unperceived, when starting the 5S approach for success.
Therefore, the progressive transformation in management is becoming a major 5S issue in spite of the appearances and superficial ideas that have been conveyed.