5S

Concept

A workplace organization method with five steps (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain) that keeps tools and materials in their place, makes problems visible and supports safe, efficient work.

Description

5S is a method for organising a workplace so that work is safe, efficient and easy to check. The five steps come from Japanese words, usually translated as sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain. Teams first remove what is not needed, then give every tool and material a fixed place, clean while looking for sources of dirt, agree rules, and keep to them through audits and habits.

The first three steps change the workplace, the last two keep the result. Many sites add a sixth S for safety. 5S makes problems visible, because a missing tool or a leak is easy to see in an ordered area. It is a basis for visual management and standard work.

Glossary

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Maintained by Mirko Peters (Microsoft MVP) · Last updated: 2026-11-11