The 5S Pocket Guide

The 5s Pocket Guide is designed to enhance awareness of the principles behind the 5s System and identify its impact on improving efficiency and promoting a safe working environment. Using a condensed format, it outlines a disciplined methodology for implementing 5s, organized around a six-step method.

The six step method: Planning a course of action Educating the work group Evaluating the work area Initiating the 5S's Measuring the results Maintaining 5S activities

The innumerable benefits of the 5s System include shorter cycle times, increased floor space, reduced lead times and training cycles, lowered accident rates, enhanced communication, and less inventory. By employing this handy resource, organizations can more easily build employee awareness of 5s throughout their plants, leading to dramatic improvements in productivity, safety, and profitability.

About the Authors

Jim Peterson is manager of total quality for Boise Cascade's Building Materials Group. Prior to this post, he was general manager of quality for H.J. Heinz and factory manager for Ore-Ida Foods. Jim is a former Baldrige Award examiner and is a judge for both the Idaho and Louisiana state quality awards.

Roland Smith, Ph.D., is the director of the Center for Educational Research/Quality Learning Project at the University of Idaho and also currently serves as director of consulting services for the IEC Group and is an examiner for the Baldrige Award.