The implementation of Kaizen 5S in the IT industry

The implementation of Kaizen 5S in the IT industry

In recent years, the technology industry has seen many developments and has undergone several changes, especially with advances in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other fields.

The technology industry has grown rapidly in the 20th century. It has passed through many changes, developing and enhancing continuously. Since "advancement" is the mantra of technology, updated information, processes, and methodologies have always been required (and always will be). The world's tech leaders have increased their focus on artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other areas.

Several product-based and development companies have focused on a more outcome-based approach to producing such sustenance. Some companies/organizations place equal importance on value creation.

5S is the methodology used to make changes.

Various manufacturing industries have figured out this technique and have used it for decades.

How does the 5S method work?

5S is a productivity methodology. It is composed of the first four letters of Japanese words — Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke.

The method was originally intended to organize a workspace for efficiency. It’s a framework that emphasizes the use of a specific mindset and tools to create efficiency and value. It involves observing, analyzing, collaborating, and searching for waste and the practice of removing waste.

The method was designed for maximizing efficiency in a workspace. It's a framework that emphasizes the use of specific tools and mindsets for maximizing efficiency and value. It involves identifying waste, analyzing it, collaborating, and getting rid of it.

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Introducing 5S

Seiri?- Keep the essential items near the work area, keep less frequently used items in a distant storage area, and discard the unwanted items.

Seiton - Everything should be in order and everything should be in place.

'Seiso - Keep the workspace and all equipment neat, clean, and organized.

Seiketsu?- Work practices should be consistent and uniform.

Shitsuke?– Sustain – Maintain focus on this new way and do not allow a gradual decline back to the old ways.

The 5S method was originally intended for manufacturing, but can also be applied to any other field. (Merges well with IT industry!)

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How 5s can be implemented in IT

1. Step 1 –?Seiri?(sense of use)

The first step is to separate what you need from what you don't need. What you don’t use can get in the way and take up space and, today, in any organization, space is money.?

Now let’s go further. Let’s look at your work environment. Develop criteria for getting rid of unnecessary things and, with your colleagues, identify used and unused items on a daily basis.

Find a place in your company for disposal, donation or even for selling unused items. Define a “D-day” on which the entire company will mobilize to carry out the program.

2. Step 2 –?Seiton?(sense of organization)

Organizing all the things that were deemed "important" requires separating them. Taking into account your workflow, organize your things and decide where to put them.

• Keeping the item by you or near where you use it is a good idea if you use it often.
• Keep the item in a cabinet nearby so you can access it quickly, even if it is used less frequently- for example, a document that you normally consult once a week.
• Items you don't use very often can be stored away in cabinets without the need for immediate access.

?3. Step 3 –?Seiso?(sense of cleanliness)

This is the time for cleaning. An untidy environment prevents you from finding opportunities for improvement. So keep your work environment clean and visible to find anomalies. Adopt cleaning as a daily activity and as part of the inspection. Clean your workplace before and after working.

4. Step 4 –?Seiketsu?(sense of standardization)

In order to keep workplaces organized, orderly, and clean, this step focuses on developing visual controls. Before starting this phase, make sure that all of the previous steps have been performed correctly. Create procedures and forms to regularly assess the status of the first three Ss.

Every employee is assigned a specific task that contributes to cleaning the work environment. Scheduled routines are defined with fixed intervals, such as weekly, biweekly or monthly, and supervisors are responsible for monitoring whether or not these tasks are being performed.

5. Step 5 –?Shitsuke?(sense of self-discipline)

As part of this step, employees must be disciplined to follow the standards of the 5S program and practice the first four Senses spontaneously and willingly as a way of life. In this way, 5S becomes an important tool in the organization’s culture.

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5S Kaizen model advantages

1)Effective collaboration

Every team member plays a role in decision-making and receiving the work. As a result of this approach, different problems are met with new solutions and treated with creative ideas and innovations.

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2) Enhanced Quality

During the development phase, peer reviews ensure that no errors occur. Using this methodology allows accountability to peers, which works far better than getting validation from superiors.

3) Smart Workforce

By conducting regular work reviews, feedback is provided, allowing more interaction between the team members. More interaction results in more ideas, resulting in a more significant and brighter improvement.

4) Lowered Costs

Review of work is encouraged frequently since the emphasis has changed to iterative development. Compared to the waterfall methodology, where errors are spotted at the end of a development cycle, this process conserves time and money.

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Kaizen is a philosophy that emphasizes delivering the best outcome possible. To achieve the goal, each team member must contribute. It focuses on developing new skills, achieving better results, and delivering flawless products as a model.

By implementing this eastern concept, the IT industry can quickly improve its competency. They can deliver high-quality products, solutions, and services.