The Hindu Business Line : Quicker, Better, Cheaper...

Everything in its place and a place for everything. The phrase explains the Five S system, write Richard Keegan and Eddie O'Kelly in Applied Benchmarking for Competitiveness, from Jaico (www.jaicobooks.com).

Five S begins with seiri, a Japanese word for sorting out. "Keep only those items in a work area that are necessary," explain the authors. "If parts, components or tools are only needed occasionally, keep them in a storage area, not in the work area." How does this help? "By reducing clutter, it is easier to find what is required. Also, valuable floor space can be released for additional production or new projects at minimal cost."

The second S is seiton, for systematic arrangement — for example, using `shadow board'. Mark the floor area or storage areas to highlight where and how materials, finished goods and tools are to be stored and handled for maximum efficiency, instructs the book.

Seiso means cleanliness. This can lead to `a safer working environment', please note. Even a basic level of inspection can achieve regular cleanliness. For instance, "if leaks, cracks, breakages or misalignments are detected early, then remedial action can take place before machines fail and production is lost."

The fourth S is seiketsu, for standardising. Define `the new, clean, and organised standard'. Else, "human nature will ensure that the place reverts to the old ways." And the last S is shitsuke, that is, self-discipline or perseverance. "People will internalise the standard," as a result.

"The 5S system is very basic, but also quite powerful," observe the authors. They remind that it is the job of managers to set the standards. "If a low standard is acceptable, then that is what is achieved. If a high standard is the target, then it too will be achieved."

The book is a collection of some of the most famous tools and techniques from WCB (world class business) to help companies `diagnose objectively, efficiently and effectively their current situation and to take steps to improve performance'; or, in short, adopt ABC (applied benchmarking for competitiveness).

The toolkit that comes alive in the pages of the book has techniques presented in three levels. All these have a basic thrust, `Quicker, Better, Cheaper... Together'. Four words that capture the essence of WCB, note Keegan and O'Kelly.

A book to work with!

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