Editor’s note: This article discusses topics covered at greater length in episodes 19–23 of a new streaming video training series, Creating and Sustaining Lean Improvements—Integrating Principles, Culture, and Tools by the author and 360 Performance Circle, a sister company to Quality Digest. Check out the video at the end of the article, or click here to learn more.

The sustain step of 5S is difficult enough as it is. When companies forget or don’t address one key attribute of successful sustainment, it’s nearly impossible to sustain improvements.

Normally, companies try to achieve sustainment through a combination or subset of the following activities:
• Layered 5S assessments by different levels of management via leader standard work
• Tracking/monitoring of assessment scores
• Competitions between areas/processes
• Ongoing and orientation training
• Visual display of discrepancies and actions

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