In quest for higher productivity, 5S is fast gaining popularity in many companies . Deemed as the foundation stone of higher productivity and quality improvement , 5S is the unique Japanese approach to basic shopfloor management . Broadly translated , 5S means Good Housekeeping and workplace organization . Through 5S , total employee participation in improving the company's shopfloor management is possible. The practice of 5S helps to inculcate in employees a Kaizen mentality , that is , an attitude for continuos improvement.

5S is applicable to both shopfloor and offices. You will be surprised at how much you can find out a company by simply walking around its premises and observing housekeeping activities . For example , one can judge the level of productivity improvement activities . from the way materials and tools are stored , the way the workplace is organized , the cleanliness of factory floor , the cleanliness of the machines or the way personal items are stored.

A company with a good housekeeping practices will have better foundation for higher productivity , higher quality , reduced costs, more timely delivery , greater safety , higher employees morale etc. In contrast , a poor housekeeping practices can lead to outcomes like high frequency of accidents , high labor turnover , high defect levels, high proportion of waste and eventual loss of customers.