Implementation of “5S” in Jing Si Hall
Madam Y C Lee, an expert with more than 20 years of professional experience in Lean Management was invited by Tzu Chi Singapore in November 2018 to conduct a four-day workshop for staff and volunteers. During the first workshop, the latter was taught to implement the first “S”—“Sorting” in the storerooms. In March this year, Madam Lee visited again to guide everyone to implement the second “S”—“Straighten”. Under her guidance, each participating team brainstormed on ways to make full use of the available space and resources to ease and streamline cumbersome work flows and procedures.
General Affairs staff Tey Chia Hock ：The storeroom was in a mess previously. It took quite some time to look for an item. The flow is much smoother now after some changes are made.
Changes do not happen overnight. In November 2018, Tzu Chi Singapore invited Madam YC Lee, an expert in Lean Management with over 20 years of experience conducted a 4-days 5S workshop for staff and volunteers.
Lean Management Trainer YC Lee ：We do not need to keep everything. We must identify the items that we really need and prolong their lifespans.
A concept originating from Japan, “5S” stands for “Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize and Sustain”. It is an important foundation in Lean Management.
Lean Management Trainer YC Lee ：You don’t need to keep all of them. Move all these cupboards out, so that you will have space to tidy up. Decide on what you want and what you don't.
Tzu Chi volunteer ：Every item has a space. Then it won’t be so messy, and we will have more space.
General Affairs Staff Tey Chia Hock ：We put the items on the racks previously and they took up a lot of space. Now, we are placing them on the floor to save space.
Tzu Chi’s staff and volunteers sorted and reorganised the items in the storerooms according to the trainer’s instructions. In March this year, the trainer continued to guide everyone into the second stage – “Straighten”.
General Affairs staff Seah Jia Jun ：When the trainer came here during the first stage, we cleared the entire storeroom and started categorising the items. Now, when she is here the second time, she taught us how to implement the second “S”, error proofing, etc.
Whether a work process is good or bad is a very subjective matter. But when we use measurable indicators, such as figures, time or footsteps, we will have realistic results.
Tzu Chi volunteer Pang You Lan ：In the past, I had to search everywhere for an item. Now, we no longer need a General Affairs staff to tell us where to find the items we need. It is very efficient.
Lean Management Trainer YC Lee：Previously, where did I tell you to put such small and valuable items? (Somewhere near and visible)
Although only 2 out of the 5S have been implemented at this stage, the space utilisation within the Jing Si Hall has undergone significant changes, and this is the motivation for everyone to continue practising “5S”.
