subject: Understanding The 5s Game System [print this page] The 5S system is used to train employees and managers to establish an organized workplace. It is based on the 5S process, which involves sorting, straightening, sweeping, standardizing, and sustaining self-discipline. Through the 5S system, the members of the team are able to see, learn, and do activities as a group.
The first phase of a 5S process is sorting out unnecessary tools, equipments, parts, and ideas in the workplace. Only the important aspects are kept and maintained, and the rest are discarded from the entire system. This elimination process helps the team achieve priorities and gain easy access to necessary things and tools. The second phase involves straightening the workflow and simplifying the remaining tools and equipments. Resources should be made accessible to the people and to areas where these are supposed to be used. This ensures work efficiency and time conservation.
The third phase involves systematic cleaning, which simply means daily maintenance for a clean and tidy workplace. The fourth process is standardizing the conditions that have been set in the first and second phases. Determining standards visually and clearly makes the non-standard conditions obvious for correction and improvement. The 5S process ends with the sustaining self-discipline to maintain the first four phases. Consistent training in this will prevent old habits from kicking in again.
This 5S system can be demonstrated to company members through a 5S game. This game uses toy blocks. This is a team game, where each team has to build something out of two different boxes. One box has clear instructions, while the other has vague directions. The game works by making teams discover the difference.
The 5S game allows the team to point out the problem, the condition of the problem, and the factors that cause it. Once the problem is identified, the team learns to sort beneficial tools and equipment. The team then starts standardizing things in a one-way process, with an identified standard level of cleanliness.
Once the standards are identified, search efforts are reduced and time is not wasted. With less clutter in the work area, the job will be done quickly and properly, boosting every members morale and confidence. Training members using the 5S game will build a foundation of discipline, even if there will be adaptations to make in the future.
