In the daily work of a company, routines that maintain organization and orderliness are essential to a smooth and efficient flow of activities. The 5S pillars, Sort ( Seiri), Set in Order ( Seiton), Shine ( Seiso), Standardize ( Seiketsu), and Sustain ( Shitsuke), provide a methodology for organizing, cleaning, developing, and sustaining a productive work environment. Implementation of this method 'cleans up' and organizes the workplace basically in its existing configuration, and it is typically the first lean method which organizations implement.

5S is a system to reduce waste and optimize productivity through maintaining an orderly workplace and using visual cues to achieve more consistent operational results.