Is There Also 5S Management in Software Development?

In lean production, the value stream is the key element throughout the whole production process. A standardized operation is a crucial tool to realize the synchronization of a production line, and 5S management on the production site is the basis for managing all production factors. Therefore, it is not too much for us to call 5S the foundation of lean.

I.5S Management

5S management method, namely Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke, is also called 5S for short because the Romanization of Japanese starts with “s,” and English also begins with “s.”

5S management, originated in Japan, refers to the effective management of personnel, machines, materials, methods, and other production factors at the production site, a unique management method of Japanese enterprises. It creates a clean working environment and cultivates good working habits by standardizing the site and objects. Its ultimate goal is to improve people's quality and develop good working habits.

II.Advantages of 5S management

Enterprises in the production process to implement 5s management can create an "Everyone actively participates in everything to comply with the standards" of a good atmosphere and bring the following benefits to the enterprise:

• Eliminate various adverse phenomena in the factory.

• Improve product quality.

• Improve productivity.

• Reduce costs.

• Ensure timely delivery.

• Ensure safe production and maintain the high morale of employees.   

III.Great potential of 5S management

Since 5S management can bring many benefits to the organization, can it be applied to software development?

The answer is yes. Generally, 5S management is used in the production workshop. If you use it in software development, the first thing to be clear about is the workplace? The office environment of software development is in our code base, construction process, testing, documentation, and other "sites." Once you know that, you can map it to 5s one by one, for example: 

1. SEIRI

Definition: distinguish the items to be and not to be, and only the necessary items are kept on site.

In software application: distinguish useless code in the codebase, and only helpful code is retained in the codebase.

2. SEATON

Definition: put the necessary things in the specified place and take them out quickly. Specify the placement area and clearly mark it.

In software applications: the code should have a clear naming convention, and the necessary code should be neatly annotated for maintenance and understanding.

3. SEISO

Definition: remove the dirt in the workplace and prevent pollution. 

In software application: clean up the redundant code in the codebase to make the code concise and readable.

4.SEIKETSU

Definition: institutionalize and standardize the practice of sorting, rectifying, and cleaning up, and maintain its results.

In software application: organize, rectify and clean regularly and standardize to achieve the purpose of the neat codebase.

5.SHITSUKE

Definition: cultivate civilized and polite habits, act according to regulations, and develop good working habits.

In software application: follow code specifications, develop good working habits and improve professional quality.

In addition to applying 5S management to the code base, it can also be applied to other aspects. For example, when it comes to documents, we can reorganize the documents, delete useless documents, and then regularize the document library, unified naming standards, regularly check the contents of the documents, and the repeated documents can be merged and regularized. Finally, constantly standardize and institutionalize to promote everyone to develop good working habits.

In addition, the 5S management of the production workshop can be applied to the office environment, and 5S can be used to create a good office environment. Let employees devote themselves to their daily work with a fuller spirit and better create value.

As the foundation of lean production, 5S management ensures orderly on-site management to improve the overall management level of the enterprise. Later, people derived 7S and 8s management based on 5S...... No matter white or black cats, good cats can catch mice. Therefore, whether 7S or 8s, it is worth being encouraged as long as it can effectively improve enterprise efficiency. Similarly, we don't need to limit 5S, 7S, 8s, and other management principles to the production workshop. Maybe they can play a more significant potential in different fields. What other areas can apply or are applying 5S management? Welcome to leave a message.