What is 5S?
5S is a five-step method for organising a workplace. The names come from five Japanese words — Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke — usually translated as Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain.
The 5 steps
- Sort — remove everything not needed for the work. Red-tag doubtful items.
- Set in order — a place for everything; most-used items closest to hand, labelled.
- Shine — clean the area and inspect equipment while cleaning.
- Standardise — write simple rules, photos and checklists so everyone does it the same way.
- Sustain — audit regularly and make 5S a habit, not a one-time clean-up.
5S audit checklist (sample)
| Check | Score 0–2 |
|---|---|
| No unneeded items in the area | |
| Every item has a labelled place | |
| Floor, shelves and equipment clean | |
| Standard photo / checklist displayed | |
| Last audit actions completed |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Doing a big clean-up once and never auditing again.
- Leaders who don't follow the standard themselves.
- Applying 5S only to shop floors — offices and digital files benefit too.
How DOOfy helps
5S makes problems visible; data keeps them visible. AIMOS One can track audit scores, stock locations and recurring issues by area, so Sustain — the hardest S — has numbers behind it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 5S in order?
Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain.
What is 6S?
6S adds Safety to the original 5S, making safety checks part of workplace organisation.