Do you want to know a secret? It’s one that lean experts often overlook because nobody told them about it. However, before revealing it, we need to answer a couple of questions first.

• What is 5S?
• Why is 5S important to implement?
• Why do so many U.S. companies fail in 5S implementation?

5S is a technique used to organize a workplace by making it more visual, safer, and free of clutter. The 5S concept began in Japan as seiri, seiso, seiton, seiketsu, and shitsuke, terms that closely correlate to sort, shine, set in order, standardize, and systematize (or sustain). In a nutshell, 5S involves cleaning up any work area and getting it organized. It sounds so simple. It seems an obvious improvement. Who could argue the logic of an orderly workplace? So many times, U.S. companies initiate a 5S program and engage in a massive clean-up effort, yet the disorganization returns a few months later. What a waste.

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