TABLE OF CONTENT

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Supporting 5S Methodology with UTrakk

Adeline de Oliveira
Graphic composition showing a view of the UTrakk platform to the left, and a worker wearing a helmet and holding a tablet to the right

In manufacturing, efficiency, quality, and safety are essential. Fortunately, two key solutions work together to help manufacturers respond precisely and effectively to these challenges: the 5S method and the Daily Management System (DMS). The 5S methodology creates a cleaner, more efficient and safer work environment, while the software monitors, maintains and improves day-to-day operations.

As we’ll see in this article, 5S and DMS form a powerful synergy. Together, they improve productivity and open the door to long-term operational excellence.

Let's take a look at why it's so important for companies – especially those in the manufacturing industry – to combine these two tools and how the UTrakk platform can support and perpetuate the 5S methodology.

Key takeaways:

  • The 5S methodology, originating from the Toyota production system, is a cyclical approach used in Lean Management to eliminate waste and improve operational efficiency and working conditions.
  • The five fundamental steps of the 5S methodology are Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, each with its own objectives and order of implementation.
  • The benefits of implementing the 5S methodology in the manufacturing industry include space optimization, reduced production costs, improved quality, increased safety, and superior productivity.
  • Visual communication is an essential component of the 5S methodology, using labels, tables, floor marking tape, signs, and visual displays to convey information about organization, standardization, and safety.
  • The UTrakk Daily Management System complements the 5S methodology by providing features for real-time tracking, daily meetings, key performance indicators (KPIs), planning and monitoring improvement actions, and process standardization.

In a hurry? Save this article as a PDF.

Tired of scrolling? Download a PDF version for easier offline reading and sharing with coworkers.

Download a PDF version.

5S methodology: The heart of the Lean Manufacturing philosophy

Originating from the Toyota production system, the 5S methodology is a Japanese technique included in Lean Management practices. It is used in offices and factories to manage and organize workstations.

This Lean approach is a cyclical methodology designed to eliminate waste from the manufacturing process, and improve operational efficiency and working conditions by creating a clean, organized and efficient workplace.

It includes five fundamental steps, each with their own objectives, that must be followed in a precise order:

Seiri – Sort

The 5S methodology starts with sorting and getting rid of anything useless in the workspace. Eliminating waste includes removing unnecessary items, excess inventory, unused equipment, and hazardous materials.

Seiton – Set in order

Once the initial sorting has been done, it’s time for workplace organization. Remaining items must be arranged in a logical and accessible way so that workers can quickly find what they need (frequently used tools can be stored on shadow boards or shelves for example).

Seiso – Shine

Following proper cleaning procedures for workstations and the production floor (including production equipment) is essential to maintaining an organized and safe environment. This includes not only surface cleaning, but also the identification and removal of potential sources of pollution.

Seiketsu – Standardize

To ensure the sustainability and correct application of the first three "S’s", it is essential to establish standards and procedures to enforce these new practices. This fourth step in the 5S methodology fosters a culture of efficiency and continuous improvement, and helps maintain cleanliness.

Shitsuke – Sustain

This is the final step of the 5S methodology. It focuses on user discipline and the consistent enforcement of the rules in place in the organizational system. It's about maintaining previous efforts to ensure that the method is effective over the long term, that it becomes an integral part of the organization’s culture.

3 Methods to Implement Now HOW TO ACHIEVE OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE Download our Whitepaper

The benefits of the 5S methodology for the manufacturing industry

Especially used in manufacturing facilities where efficiency, quality and safety are essential, the 5S methodology offers many benefits:

List of the benefits of the 5S methodology for manufacturers

Space optimization

By eliminating clutter and organizing resources efficiently, the 5S methodology maximizes the use of available space. This is important in factories where every square meter counts.

Reduced production costs

One of the main goals of the 5S methodology is to reduce waste. And by eliminating waste, this method contributes to reducing production costs, leading to increasing profitability.

Improved quality

A clean, organized work area reduces the risk of manufacturing errors and defects. The standards set by the 5S methodology help to maintain high levels of quality.

Increased safety

A well-organized, clutter-free environment reduces workplace hazards and injuries. In addition, 5S encourages preventive maintenance, which contributes to employee safety.

Superior productivity

By reducing waste, obstacles, equipment failure, and wasted time, and by improving quality, the 5S method greatly enhances productivity, leading to a positive impact on the company's overall efficiency.

Engaging workers

The 5S methodology creates a framework that fosters staff engagement by encouraging them to actively participate in building a productive workspace. It gives them a sense of control, responsibility and pride, while improving the quality of their daily environment. As a result, teams are more engaged, creative and efficient.

Visual communication in the 5S methodology

Visual communication is an essential element of the 5S method. It relies on the use of visual tools to clearly and concisely convey information about organization, standardization and safety, creating a visual workplace where everyone can work with greater efficiency.

Here are some of the visual control tools commonly used in 5S:

  • Labels on objects, shelves, cabinets, and equipment indicate their location, use and status.
  • Tables that indicate storage locations for tools, parts and equipment.
  • Floor marking tape delineates work areas, storage spaces, circulation paths, and specific equipment locations.
  • Signs provide instructions, procedures, safety hazards and guidelines, process diagrams, etc.
  • Visual displays (graphics, images and pictograms) illustrate standards or instructions.

TRACK AND MEASURE YOUR PERFORMANCE UTrakk DMeSDownload our brochure

How does the UTrakk Daily Management System reinforce and sustain the 5S methodology?

A daily management system (DMS) is a set of work practices, work processes and tools used by an organization to monitor, manage and improve day-to-day activities.

Manufacturers use this software to maintain a consistently high level of performance throughout the organization, with a focus on the proactive management of problems and opportunities.

Illustration of 5 circles each describing a fundamental principle of daily management systems

Designed for both Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, UTrakk is a daily management system that guides the frontline manager through each of their daily operations, while providing an overview of priorities, activities, actions, as well as management and performance data.

By connecting and aligning all hierarchical levels of an organization within a single platform, this helpful tool facilitates decision-making and communication between these levels, offering a global vision and unified management.

UTrakk offers many useful features designed for the manufacturing sector, ensuring that the 5S methodology is adequately implemented and sustained:

Features for implementing the 5S methodology

Real-time tracking 

UTrakk DMS offers constant monitoring of daily activities, including 5S compliance. It ensures that 5S standards are maintained over time, preventing any slow down after the initial implementation.

The Rituals module enables planning of daily tours during which key parameters of the implemented standards are monitored. The workstations targeted by these audit tours can have their own checklists, customized to meet unique companies’ needs. Expected results, including compliance thresholds, are configured in each checklist, enabling supervisors to quickly identify variances.

To fully understand what is expected at a specific workstation, photos can also be added to the checklist. This UTrakk feature not only identifies any variance at a glance, but also documents non-conformities with a descriptive text, a "cause of variance" that has been pre-configured in the DMS, or attached photos.

When the tour is completed, the DMS issues a summary of the discrepancies raised and actions taken, facilitating close follow-ups leading to rapid resolutions.

View of an active supervision tour in UTrakk, with a close-up of a checklist question

Daily meetings

Daily meetings in the UTrakk Rituals module provide an ideal framework for sharing information on progress and any problems associated with 5S. Field teams can share results, discuss challenges, issues and gaps, and plan immediate corrective actions if necessary.

An undeniable strength of the UTrakk system is the option of sending an action in real time to the person in charge of resolving the discrepancies raised. This action can be added to another ritual (production review, continuous improvement meeting, or health and safety committee), directly from the tour window on the application.

UTrakk's ability to bring actions to the management teams, where decisions can be made quickly with the right people, enables tremendous time and efficiency gains.

View of a meeting in UTrakk, with a close-up of the agenda

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Lean Manufacturing KPIs can be defined to monitor compliance with the 5S methodology. This enables results to be measured and performance to be assessed against clearly defined, data-driven objectives.

The UTrakk DMS Dashboard module enables users to define performance indicators and record data at a predefined frequency. Results are displayed in graphics, making it easy to monitor progress and take corrective actions if necessary.

View of a KPI in a dashboard in UTrakk, with a close-up of the KPI "Accidents"

Planning and monitoring improvement actions

When 5S improvement opportunities are identified, UTrakk enables systematic planning, monitoring and prioritization of the actions that need to be taken. This ensures that changes are effectively implemented.

Depending on the scope of the improvement to implement, a few functionalities are available to ensure adequate follow-up:

  • An Action: A simple option requiring one responsible person and a deadline set in the near future.
  • An Opportunity: The go-to feature if the parameters of the improvement are unclear – no responsible person is identified, the deadline is not set, and the actions to be carried out are not defined.
  • A Project: If the improvement is a large-scale undertaking, requires input from several departments, and needs to be rigorously monitored, the Project Tracking function is the one to use.

All these features can be associated with a Meeting in the UTrakk system, to ensure timely monitoring, decision-making process, and completion of improvement actions. Depending on how the improvement evolves, the DMS can move an Action to an Opportunity, and an Opportunity to a Project, all while keeping the associated data.

View of an active supervision tour in UTrakk, with a close-up of an action to complete

Process standardization

UTrakk promotes the standardization of manufacturing processes and management routines (such as the Leader Standard Work), in compliance with the fourth "S" (Seiketsu – Standardize) of the 5S methodology. This helps to maintain consistent practices and guarantees that 5S standards are met.

The DMS offers a Knowledge Center in which the implemented standards and practices can be documented as “Procedures”. A Procedure can include text, photos, videos, and links, reducing any risks of confusion, misunderstanding, or non-compliance with standards.

View of the Knowledge Center in UTrakk, with a close-up of a pulp cutting machine at a workstation

The benefits of the UTrakk DMS, combined with the 5S methodology

Continuous improvement culture

By combining the daily management system with 5S, organizations promote a culture of continuous improvement in which operational efficiency, quality and safety are continually enhanced.

The use of a DMS ensures that 5S principles are not simply implemented once, but rather maintained and optimized on an ongoing basis, maximizing the benefits of the 5S method.

Employee involvement

The DMS encourages the participation of employees from all organizational levels. This fosters commitment to maintaining 5S standards as employees play an active role and are more accountable.

Clear communication and transparency

The Utrakk DMS encourages visual management. It allows standards, procedures and locations to be displayed in one place. This makes information more accessible and understandable at a glance for every team member, regardless of their language skills.

What's more, the DMS enhances transparency in terms of performance and accountability. When 5S principles are standardized and known, it's easier to track and communicate each team member's responsibilities.

Boost your operations  With UTrakk LEARN MORE

Synergy between 5S and DMS: The path to sustainable performance

Implementing the 5S in manufacturing offers significant benefits in terms of efficiency, quality and safety. However, to maximize these benefits and maintain established standards, the use of a daily management system such as UTrakk is highly recommended.

Together, these two approaches help to create an optimized work environment that is sustainably efficient and set for continuous improvement.

FAQ on the 5S methodology and UTrakk

What is the 5S methodology and how does it improve manufacturing processes?

+

How does the 5S methodology benefit the manufacturing industry?

+

What role does visual communication play in the 5S methodology?

+

What is the UTrakk Daily Management System and how does it reinforce the 5S methodology?

+

How does the synergy between the 5S methodology and UTrakk DMS lead to sustainable performance?

+

Implement the 5S methodology in your organization using UTrakk

The experts at Proaction International are here to guide and advise you in implementing the 5S methodology in your organization using the UTrakk platform.

Adeline de Oliveira

Adeline de Oliveira

Writer and editorial manager for about 15 years, Adeline is passionate about human behavior and communication dynamics. At Proaction International, she covers topics ranging from Industry 5.0 to operational excellence, with a focus on leadership development. This expertise enables her to offer insights and advice on employee engagement and continuous improvement of managerial skills.