“Set in Order” Stage of 5S Helps Companies Find Place for All Items in Workplace | MTEC (2024)

In our latest blog series, we are detailing 5S implementation and what is required of each step.

For those who do not know about 5S, it is a program that helps companies reach maximum efficiency. The program stands for sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain. Understanding the concept is the first step towards implementation. The next step is hiring an expert to help.

This month, we will be discussing the “Set in Order” stage.

The purpose of the Set in Order stage is to find a place for everything and put everything in its place. At the end of this stage, there will be a set place for everything in the workplace.

Key takeaways from the Set in Order stage:

  • Arrange items for convenience when using.
  • Eliminate wasting time looking for certain tools and items.
  • Simplify the work process by making it easier to find necessary tools.
  • Create a plan to help the workplace stay in this new organization.
  • Organize items based on their frequency of use and proximity to where they are used.

In the Set in Order step, companies should match the place of an item with its amount of use. Items used more frequently should be designated first and should be placed near where they will be used. By moving items not frequently used out of the way, the workplace will become more efficient.

Set in Order Action Items:

  • Eliminate unnecessary items
  • Take before and after photographs
  • Label items and workplace with new Set in Order organization
  • Find the true use for each item in order to choose its new placement
  • Make a list of the items and their new locations until employees get used to the new set up

Labeling is also very important during the Set in Order stage so that even those who did not help make the plan can abide by the new designated places for workplace items. Companies have used shadow boards, creating a shadow the shape and size of an item, as a way to identify its proper place. Labels are extremely useful during this phase of Set in Order as well.

Things you can Set in Order:

  • Offices
  • Books
  • Papers
  • Blueprints/Plans
  • Invoices
  • Desk Drawers
  • Tools
  • Storage areas

In conclusion, it is important to remember that once everything has been assigned a proper place, also create a system that will help everything easily be returned to its proper place so as to maintain your Set in Order step.

“Set in Order” Stage of 5S Helps Companies Find Place for All Items in Workplace | MTEC (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of the set-in-order step in 5S? ›

Set In Order focuses on creating efficient and effective storage methods to arrange items so that they are easy to use and to label them so that they are easy to find and put away. Set in Order can only be implemented once the first pillar, Sort, has cleared the work area of unneeded items.

What are the 5 phases of 5S in order? ›

The five words in 5S represent the five steps to accomplish this goal. They are sort, set, shine, standardize and sustain. Lean bases the words on the original Japanese: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and sh*tsuke.

Which step in 5S describes a place for everything and everything in its place? ›

2. Straighten (seiton) – The practice of orderly storage so the right item can be picked efficiently (without waste) at the right time, easy to access for everyone. A place for everything and everything in its place.

Which step of the 5S process focuses on organization and finding a place for each item? ›

In English, these 5S meanings are:
  • Sort (Seiri): Eliminate that which is not needed.
  • Straighten (Seiton): Organize what remains after sorting.
  • Shine (Seisou): Clean and inspect the work area.
  • Standardize (Seiketsu): Write standards for 5S.
  • Sustain (sh*tsuke): Consistently apply the 5S standards.

What is the goal of set in order? ›

The main goal of Set in Order is to develop a standardised and consistent way to store and retrieve tools and materials that you have identified as being value add to your life. The key to success here is standardisation.

What is the advantage of set in order? ›

The purpose of the Set in Order stage is to find a place for everything and put everything in its place. At the end of this stage, there will be a set place for everything in the workplace. Key takeaways from the Set in Order stage: Arrange items for convenience when using.

What is 5S in the workplace? ›

The 5S methodology is a workplace organization system that aims to improve efficiency and eliminate waste by maintaining a clean and organized work environment. The 5S's stand for Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

What is 5S phase? ›

There are five 5S phases. They can be translated to English as 'sort', 'set in order', 'shine', 'standardize', and 'sustain'.

What is 5S with an example? ›

5s Lean is a systematic approach aimed at optimizing workplace operations by reducing waste, improving efficiency, and creating an organized environment. The methodology derives its name from its core principles: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

What is the first step of the 5S process? ›

The 5S methodology involves creating a well-organised, clean, and safe workspace through systematic processes. The first step is to Sort, eliminating unnecessary items. Set in Order ensures everything has a designated place, while Shine focuses on cleanliness and housekeeping.

What are the five organizing steps of 5S quizlet? ›

The Five S (5S) steps are: Sort, Set in Order, Sweep, Standardize, and Sustain.

What is 5S Quizlet? ›

Answer: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

What are the procedures for set in order? ›

Sort: Eliminate unnecessary items from the workspace, keeping only the essentials. Set in Order: Organize and arrange necessary items in a logical and accessible manner for easy retrieval and use. Shine: Clean the workspace regularly to maintain cleanliness and identify any issues or abnormalities.

What is the primary goal of 5S? ›

5S is designed to decrease waste while optimizing productivity through maintaining an orderly workplace and using visual cues to attain more consistent operational results. 5S refers to five steps – sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain (also known as the 5 pillars of a visual workplace).

What is the 4th step of 5S? ›

Standardize, the fourth phase of Lean 5S, revolves around the concept of establishing uniform procedures, practices, and visual cues to maintain the improvements made during the previous phases – Sort, Set in Order, and Shine.

What is set in order 5S Japanese? ›

5S was derived from the Japanese words seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and sh*tsuke. In English, they can be roughly translated as sort, set in order, clean, standardize, and sustain. The cornerstone of 5S is that untidy, cluttered work areas are not productive.

Why is the standardize step important? ›

The “Standardize” step in the 5S method focuses on creating and maintaining standardized processes. This promotes efficiency by reducing the need for over explanation and ensuring that workers know what to expect. Standardization is key to achieving consistent results and allowing for continuous improvement.

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