5S Issues

Introduction

A business that “functions well” and that is effective is a business where all individuals have optimum efficiency in their work.
This is one of the primary objectives for management.

Any kind of determination for progress is an activity that generates conflicts. The word “conflicts” is included here in the sense of a variation between an actual situation and a desired situation.

The self-determination of an individual or a Task Force Group means that they have the determination and the resources to handle these risks efficiently. Standards that formalize optional management conditions include these resources.

These standards must be known and accepted by those who must apply them. They must also be continuously reviewed for their content and form.

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 company’s 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.

The 5S Approach and your Problems

If you need to get an idea concerning the needs of your company, make an analysis of these primary indicators: security, quality, productivity, and reliability.
- What are the indicators concerning accidents related to small details in mishandling and/or lack of compliance to security regulations?
- What indicators exist concerning non-standard product returns related to mishandling and/or lack of compliance to manufacturing and logistical procedures?
- How many resources have been lost due to errors or forgetfulness?
- How many delivery or sub-contracting obligations are handled due to the failure of improper mechanical operations?

Generally speaking, who much time is needed concerning the required management for correcting all types of problems related to the lack of compliance standards and the failure to follow regulations? Often, the responses are amazing.

{mosimage}The company must take great efforts in compensating the numerous errors and negligence associated with different procedures.

Therefore, the key to improvement is to widen the abilities of all individuals regarding their job expectations while maintaining and improving procedures with the least amount of detail.

Applying the 5S approach is the first condition to be considered for accomplishing this key issue.

The simplicity and efficiency of the 5Sapproach create an ideal initial approach for implementing this objective, while incorporating the methodology and good understanding of the issues on the part of the managers.