Question

What are the five Ss for lean production? Why does the list of the five Ss sometimes have seven elements?
what are some characteristics of lean operations?

Answer 1

The five S for lean production are

1. Seiri which means sorting things which are no longer needed
2. Seiton which means straightening or arranging things
3. Seiso which means shining or cleaning objects
4. Seiketsu which means standardized codes are used
5. Shitsuke which means long-term sustenance

Sometimes the 5s has seven elements as these 7 elements if eliminated the efficiency increases. the seven elements are

1. overproduction - producing as per the customer requirement
2. transportation - removes unnecessarily delayed material handling
3. motion - reduces the acts which do not ant value
4. waiting - time delays should be avoided
5. processing - unnecessary steps in schedules to be avoided
6. inventory - reducing piling up inventories as work in progress, raw materials or finished goods
7. defects - rework on scraps

Some of the characteristics of lean operations are

1. Customer value is emphasized
2. Everyone is aligned with the organizational goals
3. Focus on continuous improvement
4. Cooperation and collaboration for any work
5. Long-term fixation of problems
6. The process is proactive along with highly engaged employees
7. Everything is documented and methodological
8. They believe in progressive attitude of the people in work