The country has proudly practised a system and discipline known as Five S's or 5S - Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. It could have started with the manufacturing and industrial plants first because they benefit most from tiptop organization and systematic planning and implementation.
This quality program known as '5S' has been successfully adapted for use in institutions of higher learning, including my university - the Universiti Tenaga Nasional. Recently, the '5S'auditors came down and visited the campus to evaluate our performance in keeping up with the challenge. Hmmm, I shall try to update this article when the results is released...
So we went '5S' crazy for a long while. The university staff attended pre-'5S' workshops and campaigns, and then, there were filing systems to follow, arrangement and labelling to be done, and what I dreaded most was discarding of items - which may sound impossible for individuals like me. Argggh! the office is my treasure chest!!! complete with precious belongings and items of sentimental value:)
Our first nightmare came around in sorting our stacks of items. But it was not as tough as it may sound. As much as '5S' may be stringent in ensuring order, it also brings about a very impressive 'speck n clean' culture. Besides, it nurtures a very good habit of keeping our workplace organized and in perfect order. Everything has its place, and should be returned to its assigned location after use. This way, we can find completely any reference item in a jiffy, and eliminate lame excuses like - lost it! the elves must have taken it! somebody must have borrowed it. Ring a bell? We were positive in embracing this new 'big clean concept' and we all did it wonderfully.
I guess the best part for '5S' is the last step which is to sustain the good practice and habits. We certainly don't have to wait for another program, campaign or evaluation visit to happen to remind us about our responsibility to keep our place clean and systematic. We don't need to declare another Friday as our 'big cleaning day'.
For its superior qualities, let's take '5S' program and concept as our culture - a complete package of guidance, value, and quality control. Like the industries, the universities are welcoming the '5S' program. The nation should read up more about it, and join the pursuit of total cleaning initiative. Imagine - reduced rubbish, zero litterbugs, cleaner roads, well-maintained road signs, etc.
The '5s' program does not end at the workplace - main office, lecture halls, and individual work space. It also reminds us of our dutiful chores at home, systematic student life, and intrapersonal and interpersonal values like time management, discipline, effective procedures, etc.
This quality program known as '5S' has been successfully adapted for use in institutions of higher learning, including my university - the Universiti Tenaga Nasional. Recently, the '5S'auditors came down and visited the campus to evaluate our performance in keeping up with the challenge. Hmmm, I shall try to update this article when the results is released...
So we went '5S' crazy for a long while. The university staff attended pre-'5S' workshops and campaigns, and then, there were filing systems to follow, arrangement and labelling to be done, and what I dreaded most was discarding of items - which may sound impossible for individuals like me. Argggh! the office is my treasure chest!!! complete with precious belongings and items of sentimental value:)
Our first nightmare came around in sorting our stacks of items. But it was not as tough as it may sound. As much as '5S' may be stringent in ensuring order, it also brings about a very impressive 'speck n clean' culture. Besides, it nurtures a very good habit of keeping our workplace organized and in perfect order. Everything has its place, and should be returned to its assigned location after use. This way, we can find completely any reference item in a jiffy, and eliminate lame excuses like - lost it! the elves must have taken it! somebody must have borrowed it. Ring a bell? We were positive in embracing this new 'big clean concept' and we all did it wonderfully.
I guess the best part for '5S' is the last step which is to sustain the good practice and habits. We certainly don't have to wait for another program, campaign or evaluation visit to happen to remind us about our responsibility to keep our place clean and systematic. We don't need to declare another Friday as our 'big cleaning day'.
For its superior qualities, let's take '5S' program and concept as our culture - a complete package of guidance, value, and quality control. Like the industries, the universities are welcoming the '5S' program. The nation should read up more about it, and join the pursuit of total cleaning initiative. Imagine - reduced rubbish, zero litterbugs, cleaner roads, well-maintained road signs, etc.
The '5s' program does not end at the workplace - main office, lecture halls, and individual work space. It also reminds us of our dutiful chores at home, systematic student life, and intrapersonal and interpersonal values like time management, discipline, effective procedures, etc.
Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain.
9 comments:
It is definitely a good move to a better and efficient system in whole. To say that we going to pratice the 5S is very easy, applying and implementing it at all levels will be the challenge and glad UNITEN has taken up the challenge as well. We student should work towards a better and sytematic way just like the 5s principles. Its all in the head and i believe with constant guidance,it can happen.
Lets make it happen.
nav
After a week back from holiday,I quite surprise there are poster 5S everywhere in Uniten.I ignored it because I think that was staff or last year student motto(Hehehe, although I'm foundation. But, last Saturday, I when to library to study with friend, I discover what the 5S meaning.
It actually involved everyone, and I believe that there must be a good reason why our Uniten launch this motto.Here some of my understanding when I read the poster at Uniten (near to stairs to go underground parking.
First of all Sort is likely refers to the practice of going through all the tools, materials, etc., in the work area and keeping only essential items.Example like throw rubbish into bin. Next is Set In Order where focuses on the need for an orderly workplace. "Orderly" in this sense means arranging the tools and equipment in an order that promotes work flow. Tools and equipment should be kept where they will be used, and the process should be ordered in a manner that eliminates extra motion.Example like 30 second retrieval of a document.Third is Shine, where focus on about the clean of our environment. It about individual cleaning responsibility where everyone should keep our earth and work place clean.Fourth is Standardize, where refer to standardized work practice. Everyone knows exactly what his or her responsibilities are. In part this follows from Set In Order where the order of a workplace should reflect the process of work, these imply standardized work practice and workstation layout.Last but not least, Sustain. It simple. Do all 5S daily.
Thats all.Hope that Pn Zue may correct my comment if there something wrong with my understanding in 5S.
--Regards--
Remy
Hi Navin & Remy,
I'm so proud of you. It's good to be alert to what's up and about, particularly on our beloved campus. You're right, Remy:) 5S is for everybody. UNITEN has decided to embrace this concept in ensuring quality in work , life and products. I believe that undergraduates who immerse themselves in this big clean culture will benefit in terms of self-discipline, quality of work, and enhanced self actualization. Please tell your friends about our 5S culture, and we'll succeed as a 5S university. The campus needs students' cooperation to propel new mission and initiative. Cheers.
Uniten has done a good job by practising this system. I'm sure all of us would have seen some changes in our campus since this program was initiated. for example, i have witnessed alot of improvements in my college (coit). to name a few..the notice boards are decorated and updated more frequently, the cleanliness of the college is well taken care of, and the area near the lecturer offices are made attractive and maintained well. this is a good start and it would definitely build a good reputation for our university if this system is used.
i would say the idea of the whole thing is good. To bring a standard for the whole system is really something that is being long due, esp in uniten.
BUT,
I have seen the whole 5S project in a department in TNB, (planning, implementation and report) and I was seriously shocked when they labeled "mouse" for the PC mouse. Isn't kinda over?????
Come on, labeling tools, and important things is good and professional but labeling pen, pencil is not good in my view.
We m'sian are well know to be spoon fed and we are going to create a society that is pampered by doing things that are not relevant.
what i'm saying is, one fine day our children may need label to know pen, scissors and etc. Is that the real motive of 5S????
Certainly, nO!!!
My view of 5S in Japanese's view is more in attitude.Come on the department is promoting 5S but the workers enter work late and ask others to punch card for them. Then take breakfast for 1 hour, lunch, tea break and so called meetings.
In my experience, I went to a District office in perak that is "practicing" 5S, I was seriously shocked when I entered as the whole office staffs sat in a "ala-kedai mamak" eating keropok and gossiping.Then comes the best part, my mom had 2 wait for 5 months for district license for the shop even though SSM and ipoh state office gave license 1 year ago and when we asked why late, guess wat's the answer... We are BUSY!!!!!!finally I did all the paperwork and signboard work, i mean everything that they suppose to do and guess wat it was approved fast. They are getting paid and we end up doing the work.
N this is not the 1st time i've encountered this. thats why I say, service the one needs real 5S not the equipments.
another things i've noticed in this 5S is that some department say they are busy doing 5S when we ask why it's late.Correct me if I'm wrong I thought 5S is an extra work thats done to create a standard for the core business but not making 5S as "a" core business. It looks like Quality Control Agencies have to find other job since everyone is taking over their job....
I would like to stress here, I am not against 5S or anti-gov or wat. Im just saying implementation on the staffs, service and etc should be emphasized more. There's no point of having 5S banner all around but you can even smile rite...Counter suppose to be open 9am, try to open 8.50, I would say public will know we are practicing 5S, no need banners. Try to show a pleasant face and treat people nicely, I would say not 5S achieved but 5 STAR service achieved.
I seriously hope UNITEN can improve on that particularly to the students. And we as the students must follow the rules and guidelines set. "Bertepuk biarlah 2 tangan, baru berbunyi".
With everyone's help and contribution let us not only the university but the country in whole achieves 5S or in my view 5 ***** status.....
Let's make it happen....
p/s (edsoc's slogan)
Welcome aboard, Smith. I like your observation and opinion. Let's work on true appreciation of 5S. I think many bloggers will also like Vivek's insightful punch - yuppp:) 5S should actually stand for 5 stars. And I shall put it this way - 5S comes in a package - perhaps - smile, sincere, systematic, service, and superior quality. Not - slumber, silence, superficial, so-tak-punctual, and so-banyak-excuses. Hmmm...the true intention of 5S is so good that I personally and professionally hope more Malaysians will live up to its expectation.
5s....hmm...its good system...but its looked good when we implement it in japan the origin of 5s.People in malaysia have different set of mind.Implementing this system may work..but it still have a long way to go..how many of the uniten's employees actually follow this system when the go back from their work place.Do they practice in their home?..its just another form hypocracy.The employees just follow what others do or being forced by higher authority to follow what they so called "good governance"....and the company end up spending thousands of ringgits on seminar and food(of course it is a wajib in malaysia)for the employees to learn about 5s.This system just will be another system that will put into the closet when the time comes.UNITEN should emphasize on improving the working ethics of the staff.especially the administration staffs,very poor communication skill,attitude problem and arrogant,no point having your pen placed at the right place,the pc in the right location,and having things set in order but you do not know how to talk to a student(customer)...keep on delaying your work and so much more...ask any of uniten's student they can tell wonders..UNITEN really did not see the real issue that bring down the productivity and image of uniten.
Hi Piyu,
You've got a very good point there. When we embrace a 'concept', we have to immerse ourselves in it and live up to its expectation. If everybody takes 5S seriously, we shall live a more fulfilling life with better service, increased quality and productivity, and lots more. When you meet these individuals who do not practice 5S, perhaps you can take note and channel your observation to the appropriate authority. Afterall, we all want to reap the benefits of 5S in totality...right...like I said earlier in my comment "5S should actually stand for 5 stars. And I shall put it this way - 5S comes in a package - perhaps - smile, sincere, systematic, service, and superior quality. Not - slumber, silence, superficial, so-tak-punctual, and so-banyak-excuses." Hmmmm...
Hi
I like this post very much. It help me to solve some my work under my director’s requirements.
Apart from that, below article also is the same meaning
5S office
Tks again and nice keep posting
Rgs
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