5S requires participation by every worker at an organization; even senior leaders need to participate in training so that everyone is fully on board with its implementation.

Though visible changes such as Sort, Straighten, Shine and Standardize are vitally important, they won't amount to much without an invisible transformation occurring within employees' minds - this step of Sustain will enable this transformation to continue over time.

1. Sort

Step one of Five Sigma involves sorting through what is necessary and unnecessary, which may require clearing away tools, supplies and materials from work areas deemed unnecessary for production. Also included here may be organizing storage locations to make equipment easy to locate when it is required.

Hewlett-Packard's Computer Systems Division is one example of an organization which has implemented this five-step approach to streamline work processes. Employees can quickly locate items using this approach, cutting down time lost while improving productivity.

Training management is key to getting employee buy-in and ensuring the success of any 5S event. One approach is for managers themselves to take part in the process and demonstrate its efficacy; afterward they can lead the training of frontline team leaders and supervisors.

2. Set

Seiton (meaning to organize) is the second step of 5S and involves devising a system to keep tools, materials, and equipment organized. This means making sure each item has a home, which should then be returned there after use. The goal here is to reduce time spent searching for missing inventory as well as risk damage or loss due to misplaced inventory.

Seiton's process goes beyond organizing to encourage cleaning and maintain an even level of organization through activities like area checklists, 3-minute blitz cleaning exercises and company reward incentives.

Managers need the proper 5S training in order to implement effective practices without alienating their employees or hindering understanding and implementation. Therefore, it's essential that everyone participate in all stages of this process.

3. Shine

An environment free from clutter and distraction allows employees to stay focused on their tasks, reduce waste, such as time spent searching for tools or parts, and save resources through organized storage locations with labeled bins or kits containing only what's necessary for an individual job, with visual management boards or other techniques used for monitoring these locations. 5S offers employees a solution. It organizes tools into storage locations labeled with labels or kits with only what's necessary, plus maintains these locations through visual management boards or other techniques for optimal productivity. Its straighten aspect involves organizing tools into storage locations with labeled bins with labels or kits with labels, along with monitoring such locations using visual management boards or similar techniques.

Once an area is clean, employees should maintain it on an ongoing basis using visual management boards, Gemba walks and 3-minute blitz cleaning exercises to maintain gains made through sorting and setting in order steps. The shine step helps preserve gains made during sorting and setting in order; cleaning all equipment and surfaces as well as reducing dust build-up by cleaning all tools in optimal locations and conducting regular maintenance are just some of the activities involved in maintaining it in this phase.

4. Standardize

Wall and floor markings that clearly identify items or stations help reduce confusion on the manufacturing floor, freeing up management time for other tasks while helping staff stay focused on their jobs, increasing efficiency.

Organization and cleanliness in a work area enables staff to quickly identify any issues, problems or equipment shortages more easily and decrease waste caused by having to go back over steps or wait for tools.

Standardize is the final component of 5S methodology that involves developing behaviors to ensure consistency over time among the first three S's. This requires commitment from management, employees and all relevant parties; shorter implementation timelines have proven particularly successful; some organizations were fully implemented within weeks while larger enterprises required three to four months for full implementation.

5. Sustain

Sustain involves upholding the new procedures established during steps 2 through 4, such as labeling and visual controls to maintain organizational efficiency. Regular area checklists and company reward incentives further instill discipline within your workforce.

At this step, managers and employees collaborate to establish processes for maintaining an orderly, clean workplace that runs at maximum efficiency. Establishing these procedures also involves employee participation through team-based problem solving techniques.

This connection boosts morale and encourages team pride, leading to improved product quality. Furthermore, the company can reduce waste created through overproduction; transport fees could also be avoided by eliminating waste associated with transportation of items from one location to the next.