5 S

IKM KL is working hard for its 5 S certification from MPC (Malaysian Productivity Corporation).

Well, some might not know what is 5 S..so let me share a little bit of info about 5 S here..

'5S' is the name of a workplace organization methodology that uses a list of five Japanese words which are Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke. The list describes how items are stored and how the new order is maintained. The decision making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization which builds a clear understanding among employees of how work should be done. It also instills ownership of the process in each employee.

Phase 1 (Seiri/ Sort/ Sisih) : 
To sort and systematically discard items which are not needed at the workplace.
Emmm..that's easy..:) I can think of loads of things at home that can or rather should be discarded..ha ha..

Phase 2 (Seiton/ Set in order/ Susun) : 
To arrange necessary items in a neat and systematic manner so that they can easily be retrieved and returned to the designated places (place for everything and everything at its plac                                                           Everything is labeled, tagged, color-coded or numbered. Easy to find, easy to notice when something is missing, easy to spot when something is out of place.

Phase 3 (Seiso/ Shine/Susun) :
To clean and inspect workplace regularly and thoroughly so that there is no dirt on the floor, machines and equipments. Clean and healthy life style !!

Phase 4 : (Seiketsu / Standardise/ Seragam) :
To maintain a high standard of workplace organization by keeping everything clean and orderly at all times.

Phase 5 : (Shitsuke/ Sustain/ Sentiasa Amal) :
To train people to comply with the quality environment system continuously so that it becomes habitual and ingrained in the culture of  organization.

That's basically what 5 S is all about. It is actually about simple everyday practices which should have been inculcated into children in their early age, so that they will turn out to be very systematic and more organized people. Good practices like these should begin in homes first. Later enhanced in schools. Then, be sustained in workplace.

It's all about clean, safe and condusive environment, efficient and effective as well as time and cost savings.