Simplify is really simplify access. Make things neat. Here we specify a place for everything and everything is put in it’s place.
After we have sorted everything out in step one , we now need to organize what is left. To do this we identify the places with tape or paint where things should be placed. Label the places for the things and label the things that go in the places. Include offices as well.
Provide a standardized address to every location in your work area. Here are a few basic steps to Simplify.
- Preparing for labeling – Here we review the area that we are about to label things in. We review each work area/station and identify were things should be placed for easy access. We need to keep things used several times a day so that they can be retrieved with in 30 seconds or less with the minimum of motion from the operator of the work station. During this preparation we will need to find some one to be a “Label coordinator” to order and get all the materials needed to label everything in the area.
- Label all the items and/or their location . You can use masking tape at first to see if things are laid out right and to give time to get the labeling materials in. Label everything that is needed in the work area; this includes but is not limited to Contents in Draws, Garbage cans, Stationery, tools Books chairs Tables, etc.
- Outline where all the large items go. Outlining is where you place Tape or paint lines on the floor or table top (etc.) for the large item. The outline area needs to have a label for what should be in it. Things that you might outline are Movable carts , Garbage Cans, Walkways, Stationary items in a cabinet, Desks, Chairs, Equipment, Copiers, material pallets, etc.
- Create shadow board for smaller items. Many times you will see a peg board with the shapes of tools painted on them, this is a shadow board. When you do a shadow board do each tool or item in a different color so you can paint that item with the same color. Items that you can shadow Board are: Hand tools Desk supplies, Mops, Shovels, Rakes that get hung on the wall etc.
Once you complete this step everyone should find that it is easier to do their job as all of their needs are close and available. I once had a client that manufactured Satellites and each satellite was assembled in a bay from start to finish. Each step of the assembly process would move in and out of the assembly bay. Workers would roll in their 5-6 feet tall multi-drawer tool boxes. They stated they needed all their tools. The company was constantly buying tools for their employees as they continued to loose their tools. Some when home and never came back, some were borrowed by a fellow worker, some were just hidden in that bottom drawer way in the back. It was getting very expensive so the company did the 5S’s. In the Simplify step the company gave everyone their tool boxes to take home and then they made Shadow Box trays with the tools needed for each step. As a Satellite completed a step of the process the old step tool trays were stored in cabinets and the new ones were brought out for use. Even with this added setup time things moved faster through there assembly. People were happier and working with less stress all because the tools were there when they needed them. Believe it or not there were no complains from anyone. It really works.
Well there you have Simplify of the 5S’s . Remember that the 5S’s are not a one and done. You should do this on a regular basis. Many companies create a dashboard for the 5S’s so a department knows how well they are doing. If you have questions or comments please leave them or send me an Email.
Bersbach Consulting
Peter Bersbach
Six Sigma Master Black Belt
http://sixsigmatrainingconsulting.com
peter@bersbach.com
1.520.829.0090


















