The 5S methodology is based on the Japanese concept of “Kaizen,” a Japanese living and working philosophy. The term is made up of the words “Kai” (meaning “change”) and “zen” (which roughly translates to “for the better.” In other words, it’s about the pursuit of sustainable change. Here, we are also talking about a continuous improvement process (CIP for short). The term not only relates to concrete methods and guidelines, but is more of a special way of looking at living conditions, the workplace, and work processes. Beyond this, it’s based on the desire to continuously develop oneself and one’s environment to improve its quality.
With Kaizen, improvements can start with small steps – for example by organizing your desk better. Generally, it’s about looking for improvements every day, to never be satisfied with new developments, and to strive to constantly improve standards. In this way, not only do work processes become more efficient, resources are also saved, or used in a more sustainable way. This kind of mentality is only possible, however, if management is inclined to involve its employees, and if the direct supervisor is also ready to accept and implement suggestions for improvement.
The 5S methodology is one of many concepts with which the above-mentioned Kaizen approach can be realized.