The 5S methodology includes the step of “Sustain”, which is the fifth step in the process. The goal of the Sustain step is to maintain the improvements that were made during the previous four steps – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, and Standardize. The Sustain step involves developing and implementing systems and procedures to ensure that the workplace remains organized and efficient over time.
During the Sustain step, the following actions can be taken:
- Create a maintenance plan – Develop a plan for maintaining the improvements that were made during the previous four steps.
- Establish a culture of continuous improvement – Encourage employees to identify areas for improvement and implement changes as necessary.
- Conduct regular audits – Conduct regular audits to ensure that the workspace remains organized and efficient.
- Provide training – Provide training to employees on the importance of maintaining an organized and efficient workspace.
- Celebrate successes – Celebrate successes and recognize employees who have contributed to maintaining an organized and efficient workspace.
The goal of the Sustain step is to create a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone is focused on maintaining an organized and efficient workspace. By developing and implementing systems and procedures to ensure that the workspace remains organized and efficient over time, it is possible to achieve long-term benefits, such as increased productivity, improved safety, and reduced waste.
The 5S Sustain Audit is a way to measure the effectiveness of the “Sustain” step in the 5S methodology. It involves reviewing the systems and procedures that have been put in place to ensure that the workplace remains organized and efficient over time.
“5S” Sustain Audit Checklist
To conduct a 5S Sustain Audit, the following steps can be taken:
- Review the maintenance plan – Review the plan that was developed to maintain the improvements made during the previous four steps.
- Evaluate the culture of continuous improvement – Determine whether there is a culture of continuous improvement in the workplace and whether employees are actively identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes as necessary.
- Check the regularity of audits – Review the schedule for regular audits to ensure that they are being conducted as scheduled.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of training – Determine whether employees have been adequately trained on the importance of maintaining an organized and efficient workspace.
- Review the celebration of successes – Determine whether successes are being celebrated and whether employees who contribute to maintaining an organized and efficient workspace are being recognized.
The goal of the 5S Sustain Audit is to ensure that the workplace remains organized and efficient over time by measuring the effectiveness of the systems and procedures that have been put in place. By conducting regular audits, it is possible to identify and address any issues with the maintenance plan, culture of continuous improvement, training, and recognition of successes before they become more significant problems.