5S

Our approach goes beyond the mechanics of 5S, exploring the cultural and behavioural shifts needed to make improvements stick. Participants will learn how to engage teams, overcome resistance, and create the conditions for lasting impact. Practical and hands-on, this programme takes learning directly to the gemba, making change happen in the moment, not in the classroom.  

Participants will be able to:

• Explain the origins, principles, and purpose of 5S within a Lean and Continuous Improvement context  

• Apply each of the five stages systematically to a workplace or process area  

• Plan and facilitate a 5S implementation, from initial sort through to sustained standards  

• Develop visual management techniques to support organisation and standardisation  

• Engage, respect, and motivate teams to participate in and maintain 5S improvements  

• Identify common pitfalls and how to avoid them  

• Measure and communicate the impact of 5S activity 

• See a difference in your work environment 

Why choose this programme? 

5S is one of the most familiar tools in the Lean and Continuous Improvement toolkit, but it is also one of the most poorly taught. Too often it is reduced to a checklist, a one-off blitz, or a set of laminated signs that nobody follows. Our approach is different. 

Expect a learning experience that is genuinely energising and motivational, bringing 5S to life in a way that is practical, people-centred, and immediately actionable. We go far beyond the mechanics to explore the human side of workplace organisation. If you have never encountered 5S before or have tried and struggled to make it stick, our programme will change the way you see it. 

Delivery Options 

• In-company delivery (on-site or virtual) 

• Tailored to align with your industry, internal standards, processes, and systems 

• Typically delivered over one to two days, with flexible duration to suit your group 

• Lively and practical application of learning in real time in the place the work gets done 

Course Overview

The programme introduces the foundations of 5S – what it is, what it isn’t, why it matters, and the reasons so many initiatives fail. Working through each of the five stages in depth, it combines clear theory with practical application, covering everything from sorting and setting in order to build the habits and accountability that make 5S stick.

The human side is a major focus throughout – engaging teams at the gemba, building ownership and pride, and creating the culture that underpins lasting improvement. Planning and running a 5S event, conducting assessments, and measuring impact are all covered, ensuring you leave with the confidence and passion to lead 5S with conviction.