How can we use Design-Thinking to develop the 5Ss?

5S promotes a better and safer work environment and is much more efficient by promoting just-in-time and eliminating waste in production (Muda). It is also the basis for creating a suggestion system and, ultimately, a KAIZEN environment.

So... How can we use 5S to foster creativity? ...Not everything is PDCA

Design thinking can be used to improve the application of 5S and take it beyond a simple cleaning and organization process. Here are some ways you can combine both methodologies:

1.- Humanize the 5S:

• Understanding the user: Instead of just organizing and cleaning, Design Thinking focuses on the workspace's users.1 It is about understanding their needs, frustrations and aspirations concerning their work environment.12
• Empathy in the Gemba: Observe how workers interact with their space, identify weak points and areas for improvement from their perspective.
• Prototypes and creative solutions: Quick, low-cost prototypes can be created to test new organization, signage and workflow ideas that improve workers' daily lives.

2.- Promote participation and commitment:

• Design Thinking Workshops: Organize sessions where workers at different hierarchical levels and areas can contribute ideas to improve the implementation of 5S.
• Visualization and divergent thinking: Use tools such as mind maps, post-its, and prototypes to visualize ideas and encourage the generation of creative solutions.
• Culture of continuous improvement: Integrate Design Thinking into the company culture so that 5S is a dynamic and constantly evolving process.

3. Go beyond efficiency:

• 5S as a basis for innovation: 5S, by creating an orderly and visual workspace, can serve as a basis for implementing other continuous improvement methodologies, such as Kaizen, TPM and Lean Manufacturing.
• Generate disruptive ideas: Design Thinking can help find new and better ways to organize, signage and standardize the workplace, going beyond traditional solutions.
• Create an inspiring workspace: A well-designed workspace is not only efficient, but can also foster creativity, well-being and motivation in workers.

Concrete example:

Let's imagine that on a production line, the process of changing tools on a machine takes too much time. Design Thinking can be used to:

1. Observe and empathize: Understand how operators make the change, what tools they use, where they keep them and what difficulties they encounter.
2. Come up with creative solutions: Generate innovative ideas to improve the process, such as new tools, storage systems or signage.
3. Prototype and test: Create low-cost prototypes to test ideas and validate their effectiveness with operators.

Combining design thinking's user-centred approach with the 5S methodology can create a more efficient, safe, and pleasant workplace for workers, driving continuous improvement and innovation.

In the end, it's just about making the company better for people

It is about creating an environment of thought. To foster this environment of thought, we can use the tools that we consider appropriate at all levels, including the first line of production.