| 5-S | | | | application of lean thinking for the purpose of |
| The 5-S philosophy is associated with lean thinking. | | | | reducing the work force is not lean thinking at all. |
| The objective of lean thinking is to provide a | | | | Since some companies have done this, lean |
| business with long-term profitability by developing | | | | thinking has been given a bad reputation and has |
| a more effective workplace, which is | | | | made waste reduction efforts more difficult. |
| accomplished by eliminating waste in the work | | | | The 5-S approach involves five activities in the |
| environment. The result is a safer workplace, | | | | workplace: scrapping, sorting, scrubbing, |
| improved product quality, and lower costs for | | | | standardizing, and sustaining. Depending upon which |
| both the business and its customers. | | | | book you read, there may be different names |
| Lean thinking may result in a reduction in work | | | | for each S, but the intent is the same. |
| force, but that is not its purpose. In fact, the | | | | |