Sustain is one of the most difficult of the 5 S's because it requires more than a one time event. It requires commitment. It requires getting serious about the process.
In a plant, Sustainment requires visuals and scheduled revisits.
In a home, it is the same. As you complete 5S activities in different areas, you should develop a plan for when the are will be revisited (weekly-touch ups, monthly-cleaning/evaluation, annual- deep cleans). This could be in the form of checklists (weekly, monthly, etc) or a cleaning schedule/calendar.
The visual part is making sure everything has a place. During sustainment, if you find that some items are not staying where you planned, think about if there is a better place to put it. If you have a family, the organization needs to make sense to everyone, otherwise it will not be consistent. Sounds like a good topic for a family meeting.
When it comes down to it, it depends on what works for you. Do you need a schedule posted? Do you need to mark it on your calendar? Do you need a To Do list that you rotate through on a regular basis?
Choose what works for you and if something is not working, revisit it and try something else.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
4). Standardize
For me, the key to Standardizing is visuals. You want to make it clear and consistent where things are and where they should return. This is especially critical when an area has multiple users (hopefully someone else in your house uses your kitchen too).
In a manufacturing plant, this means "discipline squares." Areas specifically marked and labeled for specific items. There is no question what belongs in that square and when it is missing, it is obvious.
So how do we reapply to a household? There are actually a lot of organizational tools on the market that serve this purpose. Think of labeled spice racks, labeled potato and onion sacks, etc. I believe in using the right tool for the job, but I also support making use of what you have. I certainly believe that you should make sure the organization tool you plan to use will work consistently for you before you go out and buy new stuff.
As I work through my examples, I will consider some DIY techniques.
Another tool of Standardizing is Min/max. This is useful for items you stock up on, like toilet paper, paper towels, tomato sauce, canned goods. If you shop at Costco or club stores, you are bound to have staple items like this. The idea of Min/Max is that you decide what is the Minimum and Maximum quantity you want on hand at any one time. When your stock goes below the Minimum, that should trigger a signal to buy more. Ideally, you would buy just enough to get to the maximum. With this system, you should not run out of the item, but you also keep from overstocking it.
The first step is identifying what your triggers will be.
For toilet paper, my min is 2 rolls in every bathroom. My max is that plus a bag from Costco.
For pasta sauce, my min is one bottle and my max is 4.
The next step is making it visual, so that other members of the family recognize when they are going below the min. One idea is marking the 3rd to last roll in the bathroom with a "time to replenish tp" sign.
In a manufacturing plant, this means "discipline squares." Areas specifically marked and labeled for specific items. There is no question what belongs in that square and when it is missing, it is obvious.
So how do we reapply to a household? There are actually a lot of organizational tools on the market that serve this purpose. Think of labeled spice racks, labeled potato and onion sacks, etc. I believe in using the right tool for the job, but I also support making use of what you have. I certainly believe that you should make sure the organization tool you plan to use will work consistently for you before you go out and buy new stuff.
As I work through my examples, I will consider some DIY techniques.
Another tool of Standardizing is Min/max. This is useful for items you stock up on, like toilet paper, paper towels, tomato sauce, canned goods. If you shop at Costco or club stores, you are bound to have staple items like this. The idea of Min/Max is that you decide what is the Minimum and Maximum quantity you want on hand at any one time. When your stock goes below the Minimum, that should trigger a signal to buy more. Ideally, you would buy just enough to get to the maximum. With this system, you should not run out of the item, but you also keep from overstocking it.
The first step is identifying what your triggers will be.
For toilet paper, my min is 2 rolls in every bathroom. My max is that plus a bag from Costco.
For pasta sauce, my min is one bottle and my max is 4.
The next step is making it visual, so that other members of the family recognize when they are going below the min. One idea is marking the 3rd to last roll in the bathroom with a "time to replenish tp" sign.
1). Sort
Are you ready for some "spring cleaning?"
Sort is the initial phase of 5s. It is when you clear out the clutter and unnecessary items from your work area. There are plenty of books and suggestions for paring down your belongings, so let me touch on a few key considerations.
Have you used it in the last year?
If not, why do you have it?
If it is an emotional connection, consider taking a picture or using it as a decoration.
Make a pile of Keepers, Donations and Trash. Deal with the Trash and Donations quickly so they are not sitting around for too long.
While you are sorting, continue to segregate items by frequency of use. This will impact how you designate where items will go (Sort).
1) do you touch it daily? Keep it within arm's reach of the work area.
2). Do you use it weekly/monthly? Keep it in the area, but in a special drawer.
3). Do you use it once a year? Consider a storage box (well labeled of course) for those special occasions.
Sort is the initial phase of 5s. It is when you clear out the clutter and unnecessary items from your work area. There are plenty of books and suggestions for paring down your belongings, so let me touch on a few key considerations.
Have you used it in the last year?
If not, why do you have it?
If it is an emotional connection, consider taking a picture or using it as a decoration.
Make a pile of Keepers, Donations and Trash. Deal with the Trash and Donations quickly so they are not sitting around for too long.
While you are sorting, continue to segregate items by frequency of use. This will impact how you designate where items will go (Sort).
1) do you touch it daily? Keep it within arm's reach of the work area.
2). Do you use it weekly/monthly? Keep it in the area, but in a special drawer.
3). Do you use it once a year? Consider a storage box (well labeled of course) for those special occasions.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Household Activity Board
This will not be a new idea for those with kids. Chores lists are fairly common when children need to be reminded and rewarded for their responsibilities.
The idea of an activity board is another visual to share results and progress. It can be used to remind everyone about the goals and how the household is doing against them.
When my toddler gets a little older, we can start using it to give him star stickers when he completes helpful tasks like picking up toys, brushing his teeth and hopefully using the potty.
I have also heard this area called a "command center." It is a place that the family communication is posted (meal plans, schedules, etc), mail is sorted and chores are assigned.
Things to put on an activity board:
- mission/vision/goals
- cleaning schedule (5S sustainment)
- daily tasks checklist
- focus areas/goals/action plans
- improvements you are tracking (lower utility bills, grocery bills, etc)
- daily/weekly dinner plan (I try to plan on Sunday to build my shopping list)
- family schedules (events, activities, etc)
The idea of an activity board is another visual to share results and progress. It can be used to remind everyone about the goals and how the household is doing against them.
When my toddler gets a little older, we can start using it to give him star stickers when he completes helpful tasks like picking up toys, brushing his teeth and hopefully using the potty.
I have also heard this area called a "command center." It is a place that the family communication is posted (meal plans, schedules, etc), mail is sorted and chores are assigned.
Things to put on an activity board:
- mission/vision/goals
- cleaning schedule (5S sustainment)
- daily tasks checklist
- focus areas/goals/action plans
- improvements you are tracking (lower utility bills, grocery bills, etc)
- daily/weekly dinner plan (I try to plan on Sunday to build my shopping list)
- family schedules (events, activities, etc)
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