5S stands for five words in Japanese that begin with the letter “S” and describe the activities of workplace organization and standardization: Sort, Set-in-order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
5S is a phrase that refers to workplace organization and standardization. It is how we have our areas organized, free of clutter, efficient, safe, and pleasant to work in. It is considered a cornerstone for companies pursuing Lean Enterprise. It lays the groundwork and develops the discipline necessary to support the successful implementation of other Lean concepts throughout an organization.