Chapter 5: The Visual

Workplace
Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

What is the Visual Workplace??

A visual workplace is a work
environment that is self-ordering,
self-explaining, self-regulating and
self-improving where what is
supposed to happen does happen, on
time, every time, because of visual
solutions.
From Visual Workplace, Visual Thinking by Dr. Gwendolyn
Galsworth, www.visualworkplace.com
Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

The Visual Management Triangle

Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

What is the 5S System?

The 5S visual management system is
designed to create a visual workplace
a work environment that is self-explaining,
self-ordering, self-improving.
A good 5S condition is clean, well-ordered
workplace that is the foundation of
improvement.

Goal:
create a visual
workplace
Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

Method:
5S system
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5S System
A 5 step technique to promote workplace organisation, ensure adherence
to standards and nurture the spirit of continuous improvement.

1 Organisation
- SORT
(Seiri)
2 Neatness
- SET IN ORDER
(Seiton)

& Check
3 Clean
- SHINE
(Seiso)
Standards
4 Set
- STANDARDISE
(Seiketsu)

5 Discipline
- SUSTAIN
(Shitsuke)

Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

5S System

Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

The Benefits of 5s Empower us to secure a Safe working environment.

Basis of Control to spot any abnormal conditions.
Organised, efficient working environment.

First step to Improvements.

Establishes employee Ownership of their work area.
Foundation for Continuous Improvement (KAIZEN).
Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

The Benefits of 5s Team Building

Why dont we try

this idea ?

I like working
in this office

I think I want
do business
with this company
Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

I like what your team is doing

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The benefit of 5S Problem identification:

o spot abnormal conditions
quickly
Standardization:
o one way, one place, one level of
cleanliness
Waste elimination:
o reduce walking, waiting,
searching etc
Morale:
o less clutter, darkness,
comfortable
Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

S1: Seiri- SORT

Create and maintain operations that

are free from anything that is not needed. Only have in the
area whats needed to achieve the task.
Where?
Floors, passageways

Lockers and
cupboards

What?
Materials, parts, work
in progress
Tools and measuring
equipment

Drawers, shelves,tables

Parts and samples

Around pillars, under stairs

Documents, papers

Walls and information panels

Old stuff, nonrelevant stuff

Keep whats needed - Throw out the rest!

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S1: Seiri- SORT

If in doubt, throw it out !
Use the RED TAGGING tool to identify unneeded items
during the sort phase of 5S.
Listed on the red tagged item;
Item classification
Item ID and quantity
Reason for red tagging
Work section
Date

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S1: Seiri- SORT

RED TAGGING TECHNIQUE
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

Setup a red-tag removal location

Schedule a red-tag pause
Explore recycling options
Set up a capital assets disposal procedure
Measure red-tag volume
Commit to regular red tagging
Take the red tag items to a removal location. Anyone can
plead the case for the item to stay. The team makes the
final decision

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S2: Seiton Set in order

Organise whats left so as to minimize wasted motion (a place for
everything in its place). Make it well marked out and obvious to all.

Fix the position of equipment

A Place for everything and everything in its place!
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S2: Seiton Set in order

VISUAL SYSTEM
A group of visual devices designed to share
information at a glance
Types:
1. Visual indicator. Tells only, ex: signboard
2. Visual signal. Grab attention ex: Andon light
3. Visual control. Limits behaviour ex: machines
position line
4. Guarantee. Allows correct response only ex:
automatic pump shut off
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S2: Seiton Set in order

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S2: Seiton Set in order

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S3 Seiso Shine (and inspect):

Get everything back to as new. While doing this look for
potential problems.

While I was cleaning

I found a loose wire

Clean & check to reveal problems &

improve the environment!
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S3: Seiso- Shine (and inspect)

Nothing raises a teams spirit like a clean, wellordered workplace. This involves;
What to clean
How to clean
Who will do the cleaning
How clean is clean
Develop checklist of what should be cleaned
Cleaning responsibilities and schedules should be
prominently posted
5S stations should be set up and stocked with
cleaning supplies
Regularly check the condition of equipment.
Provide training to the team, so they can
recognize minor changes in sound, smell,
vibration, temperature etc.
Create inspection check sheet for machinery
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S4 Seiketsu - Standardize:
Define and visualise the minimum expectations. Maintain the good
condition by applying standards for S1 to S3. Make controls easy to follow.
Tell the story of the area - whats important, who does what and results.
Area information
panels with
objectives,
successes etc.

standards for
housekeeping
Apply common standards and visual
management to the area!!
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S4 Seiketsu - Standardize:
Remember that the best standards are clear, simple and
visual
Effective standards make the out-of standard condition
obvious
Example: an office equipment board tells us
What equipment should be there
What equipment currently are there
Who has taken equipment and when they will return it

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S5 Shitzuke - Sustain:
Once implemented, keep it going and strive for ever higher
standards
Respect and cultivate the
standards in order to: Eliminate waste
Improve effectiveness
Good working environment
Ensure Better safety
Be able to Audit the system
Encourage Transparent
management

A good workplace depends

on you and your team
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S5 Shitzuke - Sustain:
Ensure that 5S develops deep roots through
involvement, 5S must belong to each team
member through;
Promotion and Communication (report boards,
contests, 5S core group)
Training

Make the 5S system part of everyday life!

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5S sample

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Remember 5S ?
Sort

Separate

Make the 5S
system part of
everyday life!

Create and maintain

Organise whats left.
operations that are free
Make it well marked out
from anything that is not
and obvious to all.
needed. Only have in the
area whats needed to
achieve the task.
A Place for everything and
Keep whats needed
Sustain
everything in its place!
throw out the rest!
Once implemented,
keep it going and
Standardise
strive for ever
Shine
higher standards.
Define and visualise the
Get everything back to as
minimum expectations.
new. While doing this look
Make controls easy to
for potential problems.
follow. Tell the story of the
zone-whats important,
who does what, results.
Apply common standards
Clean & Check to reveal
& visual management to
problems & Improve the
the area.
environment

4 3

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Waste in Lean
Over
Production
Defect
Waiting

Transportatio
n
MUDA Excess
Processing

Motion

Chapter 5 The Visual Workplace

Inventory

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 5-S is for you.

Clean-up and organize your work area every
day so that each new day is easier and safer
than the day before
Share your input with your leaders so that the
tools you need will be available to you,
increasing your efficiency.
Volunteer to help with the 5S tours and 5S
events.
Take a good look around...Imagine zero
waste/zero confusion!
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