How does 5S relate to time studies?

5S directly impacts time study results. A disorganized workplace adds non-value-added time (searching, walking, waiting). Video-based time studies quantify this waste precisely, providing the business case for 5S implementation and measuring its impact afterward.

What is the most difficult step of 5S?

Sustain (Shitsuke) is universally the hardest step. Initial cleanup is easy; maintaining standards over time requires discipline, regular audits, and management commitment. Video-based audits using tools like Yamazo Studio can help by providing objective evidence of workplace conditions.

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Glossary

5S Methodology — Workplace Organization for Lean Manufacturing

5S is a workplace organization methodology consisting of five steps: Sort (Seiri — remove unnecessary items), Set in Order (Seiton — organize remaining items), Shine (Seiso — clean the workplace), Standardize (Seiketsu — create standards for maintaining order), and Sustain (Shitsuke — maintain and improve over time). 5S creates a visual, organized workplace that reduces waste, improves safety, and supports efficient operations.

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How to Create

Yamazo Studio supports 5S implementation by providing video evidence of workplace conditions before and after improvements. Record the workspace, then use time study analysis to quantify how disorganization affects cycle times — searching for tools, walking to distant storage, working around clutter. After implementing 5S, record again to measure the impact on productivity and document the standardized workplace for training purposes.

Example

A machining cell implemented 5S after video analysis showed operators spending an average of 47 seconds per cycle searching for tools and gauges. After 5S (shadow boards for tools, labeled storage, standardized layouts), the same video analysis method confirmed search time dropped to 8 seconds — saving 39 seconds per cycle, or approximately 3 hours per shift.