5S System, lean office, and Kaizen are popular terms used to describe a system used to find and remove all forms of waste in the work environment. These Kaizen principles that are used on shop floors around the world to increase productivity and efficiency can also be applied to the office environment. A 5S Office System will make your office clean, organized and office workers more efficient. … [Read more...]
How to Eliminate the Muda of Overproduction
The muda of overproduction is caused by producing more than is necessary or required. It is a terrible waste of resources and time. It puts needless wear on office machines, uses up more supplies than are needed and tasks employees to do work that is not needed. Remember muda is waste. It is anything that adds time, resources, or cost without adding value. The muda of overproduction in the … [Read more...]
How To Eliminate Muda (Waste) in IT and The Office
Muda is a Japanese word that means waste. It has deeper meaning in that it refers to any activity that does not add value. In IT and the office we have many processes for getting work done. Each of these processes are subject to muda. In tough economic times like these we need to look at every area we can save money. Since time is money, wasted time is wasted money. By eliminating muda from the … [Read more...]
5S System Step 5 – The Sustain Step
The fifth and final step in a 5S System is Sustain. In this step you will instill the self-discipline and culture that will sustain the program. Over time a 5S System may become less effective due to complacency. To sustain a 5S System you must change the culture of employees and sometimes the company. Self-Discipline To instill the self-discipline needed to sustain a 5S System is to get … [Read more...]
Why Management Should Go to Gemba
IT departments are always looking at Leadership training, ITIL or other best practices to improve their department. A Gemba walk performed one or more times a day is a zero cost, high impact practice that will give you a better understanding of the work in progress and the people who do the work. Quickly you will find your Gemba walk to be the most valuable part of your day. Gemba is a Japanese … [Read more...]
5S System Step 2 – The Straighten Step
From the Japanese word Seiton we get the next part in the 5S System, the straighten step. Once you have completed the sort step, the workplace should be free from clutter and unnecessary items. Now it is time to straighten everything up and organize it. The goal is to put everything in its place and organize each workstation for maximum efficiency and productivity. Everything Has a Place The … [Read more...]
5S System Step 1 – The Sort Step
From the Japanese word is 'Seiri', the first step in the 5S System is sort. In a 5S System the goal of the sort step is to remove everything from the workplace that is not needed to do the work. You organize what is necessary and dispose of or put in place what is not. With all the clutter removed the workplace will be cleaner and more productive. By this time you have prepared your 5S System … [Read more...]
How to Plan a 5S System Launch
A 5S System is a low-cost system that will clean and organize your workplace. It will increase productivity and raise employee morale. This article that will give you some basic information on how to set up a 5S system in your workplace. One of the keys to the success of a 5S system is to have the full support of the management of your company. While a 5S system is low-cost to set up, it will … [Read more...]