Lately, Six Sigma and Lean have become key buzzwords for progressive organizations that seek to improve their efficiency. Six Sigma denotes a methodology used in business management that makes use of a scientific approach to measure quality while reducing defects and variations. On its part, Lean is a combination of philosophies, tools and methodologies […]
Implementing 5S in the Workplace: A Basic Checklist
Are you looking to implement 5S in your current workplace? The methodology can be very powerful and can result in huge improvements in productivity in most working environments, but it’s important that it’s applied correctly and with attention to all details. There are multiple components that have to be observed carefully, and you’ll need to […]
How Can 5S Improve Productivity in Your Organization?
The 5S methodology enjoys a lot of popularity nowadays and is commonly mentioned in various contexts related to production and manufacturing. Its origins are somewhat difficult to trace, as multiple people and organizations have contributed to the ideology over time. And in the end, some companies tend to face certain difficulties when trying to implement […]
Can You Use 5S to Clean Your Email Inbox?
5S is a versatile system commonly applied in various production environments in order to boost the productivity of the facility as a whole, and ensure that everyone is working together towards continuous improvement. It relies on a set of five principles – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain – and every good leader should […]
Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and 5S: How They Work Together
Total Productive Maintenance and 5S are two methodologies that seem somewhat distant, but the reality is that applying them effectively at the same time can lead to a great synergetic effect that boosts the performance of your company even more. In the end, they both strive to achieve the same goal in different way, with […]
Thinking One Step Ahead with SMED
Thinking One Step Ahead with SMED Proper optimization is not just about making the facility run well with the current parameters in mind, but also to allow it to run as efficiently as possible in the future, considering upcoming developments. You have to always be one step ahead of the current environment and make informed […]
Lean Optimization: The 5s Cure for the EHR
Can we find a cure for the EHR (electronic health record) through lean optimization and the 5S? The EHR is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. It contains the medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results. The system can be challenging for most users. A […]
Cleanliness: Learn to Shine with Lean Principles
It’s a Dirty Business Cleanliness is a dirty business. It is undervalued and underestimated by most businesses. No matter what industry you operate in, cleanliness is a crucial point of measure for customers and employees alike. More and more, customers are becoming focused on the smallest detail of your operation. Cleanliness is the king of […]
5S Program: A Quality Tool or Good Housekeeping?
What Is Really Going On? Do you have an effective 5S program or a great housekeeping model? You maybe just going through the motions. For some, a lack of understanding of what a 5S program should be relegates the process to a very effective housekeeping program for the organization with embracing the results of quality […]
A Common Sense Approach with the 5S Tool
It is said that performance is related to housekeeping and workplace organization. It is a first step to improving operating results. The 5S Tool is a common sense approach to improve the visual control in the workplace. The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization, which builds understanding among employees of how they […]