2nd May 2024
5S – Stacey Solomon Strip Sort Systemise
“Sort Your Life Out” with Stacey Solomon is a popular TV program dedicated to decluttering and organisation, where Stacey assists individuals in transforming chaotic spaces into functional and harmonious environments. While primarily focused on personal organisation, the principles showcased in the show, coupled with the CANDO approach of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), are highly relevant to workplace organisation.
CANDO or 5S*, an acronym for Clean, Arrange, Neatness, Discipline, and Ongoing Improvement, is a key pillar of TPM aimed at maximising equipment effectiveness through proactive maintenance and workplace organisation. Similarly, Stacey Solomon’s approach on the show aligns with these principles by emphasising the importance of cleanliness, proper arrangement, maintaining neatness, discipline in adhering to organisational systems, and continually seeking improvement.
In the workplace, applying the CANDO approach involves maintaining clean and organised workstations, arranging tools and materials for easy access, and fostering a culture of discipline where employees follow standardised procedures and protocols. By instilling a sense of ownership and accountability among employees, organisations can create a conducive environment for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Furthermore, Stacey Solomon’s emphasis on ongoing improvement resonates with the core tenets of TPM, which advocates for continuous optimization of processes and systems to eliminate waste and enhance productivity. By incorporating feedback from employees and regularly reviewing and refining organisational practices, workplaces can drive sustainable improvements in efficiency, quality, and safety.
In conclusion, while “Sort Your Life Out” primarily focuses on personal organisation, its principles can be effectively translated into workplace settings, particularly when aligned with the CANDO approach of Total Productive Maintenance. By embracing cleanliness, organisation, discipline, and a commitment to ongoing improvement, organisations can create a culture of excellence that fosters productivity, employee engagement, and long-term success.
“5S” refers to a methodology for organising and managing workplaces with the goal of improving efficiency, safety, and quality. It originated in Japan and has been widely adopted in manufacturing and service industries worldwide. The 5S’s stand for:
1. Sort: Sorting involves separating necessary items from unnecessary ones and removing clutter from the workspace. The aim is to keep only essential items and eliminate anything that is not needed for current operations.
2. Set in Order or Straighten: After sorting, the next step is to organise the remaining items in a systematic manner. This involves assigning specific locations for tools, equipment, and materials, making it easier for employees to find what they need quickly.
3. Shine or Sweep: Shine refers to the practice of keeping the workspace clean and well-maintained. Regular cleaning and maintenance help prevent equipment failures, reduce accidents, and create a more pleasant working environment. Sweep has the additional nuance of visual management, in that you can see whether the area is compliant and ready to go, rather than just clean!
4. Standardise: Standardising involves establishing standardised procedures and practices for maintaining the first three S’s. This ensures consistency and sustainability in the organisation’s efforts to maintain a clean and organised workplace.
5S today, originally (a long time ago) Toyota where the study that formed Lean methodology, taught 4S. The idea of “self discipline” or “sustaining” didn’t come into it because that was embedded thoroughly in the culture.
5. Sustain: Sustaining is about creating a culture of continuous improvement and discipline within the organisation. It involves training employees, conducting regular audits, and implementing mechanisms to ensure that the 5S principles are followed over the long term.
The 5S methodology can lead to various benefits, including increased productivity, improved quality, reduced waste, enhanced safety, and higher employee morale.
And for some organisations 6S – where Safety precedes all of the S’s – is often debated as to whether required, but Safety mindset is a fundamental requirement for an improvement.
