In this video, Steve Beauchamp explains the benefits of adopting a cyclical approach to the 5S model, focusing on continuous improvement rather than a one-time, perfection-driven mindset. This method aligns with the Kaizen philosophy and the SDCA (Standardize-Do-Check-Act) cycle, where establishing standards is key to effective execution and ongoing refinement.
A focus on continuous improvement
Nick: What is the benefit of this new approach you've formulated?
Steve: From my perspective, if you think about this more in a cyclical approach, as opposed to a linear, you know, project kind of style thinking, it takes a lot of pressure off of people, because then it becomes this, ‘oh, okay, so this is just what we're doing’, and our mindset is if we think about how we could potentially improve upon this in the future, rather than saying we have to get this perfect and we have to get this right the first time, that puts a lot of pressure on people.
So I think that's one thing that this different approach, I think offers. It's very much like the idea of kaizen, which you were just talking about, this idea of continually wanting to improve upon where you are and where you're going, whether that's in your personal life or in your business life. I think it's important to recognize that we're not static beings—we don't exist in this perfect equilibrium, we're constantly changing and constantly evolving.
And it also ties into the SDCA cycle very well. So this idea of standardization that feeds into the doing, or the spotless piece of keeping something clean. And also then transitioning into the checking piece, which is the sorting, setting things in order, and then you have your action step, which is the self-discipline.
And the thing that really occurred to me in writing this, too, was, how could you possibly sort and set something in order if you don't know what the standard needs to be?
Nick: Yeah, there needs to be a benchmark.
Steve: And further than that, why would you sort and set an order something that isn't clean? I mean, you wouldn't put your dirty dishes into the cupboards and then take them out and clean them afterwards, right? I mean, that seems kind of weird.
Nick: Well, you never know; with my washing, my my wife might tell me that's what I do. Anyway, I totally agree that's a good metaphor, why would you put something away that's dirty.
Steve: Right. And to me, it makes more sense to think about this from the context of, okay, let's set a standard, and then let's make sure that things are starting out in this clean fashion, and then we'll figure out how to sort and set things in order, and then we build that self-discipline to reflect and think about, is there any room for improvement?
And if there is, do we need to go back and adjust our standard? And then, continually just going back and over and over again through that cycle.