Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1361971
40 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2021 gets forgotten. We need to police the area reg- ularly to validate the success. Optimally this can be done by a performance indicator (KPI) or maintenance interval where the area is re- viewed, equipment and tools inspected, and, importantly, debrief of operators involved for feedback. Adjustments can then be made with emphasis on reviewing the first four steps to see if there is an impact. I know I am not bringing up anything new and I am sure many of you have already lived through the 5S discipline workshop. However, as 2021 is focused on continuous improvement it is appropriate to revisit some of the tools that can positively impact manufacturing and gen- eral workflow. Within our group we always strive to find 5S projects as part of continuous improvement. However, when identifying these project ar- eas, we must not "just 5S" because I must find one. 5S is a discipline and not just a project. Re- arranging pencils or cleaning one's desk does not really cut it as a 5S unless one embraces the five (or four) steps needed with the discipline. Countless times I have seen an office 5S where, of course, it is neat and tidy initially only to be a train wreck three weeks later. 5S = Fail! Stay Lean, my friends! PCB007 Todd Kolmodin is VP of quality for Gardien Services USA and an expert in electrical test and reliability issues. To read past columns or contact Kolmodin, click here. nomics, and safety. Remember, a high percent- age of down-time or failure in a process is relat- ed to the human variable. Shine (seiso) With our task or process optimized, we need to keep it that way. We need to keep the area clean and maintained. Depending on the task or process, this may be daily cleaning, sweep- ing, or inspection. is keeps the area on-point and continuously operating as we designed. In some operations as noted in the begin- ning, "set in order" and "shine" are combined, resulting in a 4S plan. Still valid as all steps are considered. Standardize (seiketsu) is step is why I like the 5S discipline. Here is where the new process is documented once you have all the steps in place. We have out- lined what is necessary, removed clutter, and organized for optimum efficiency. Now we document the process so that the task is re- peatable and defined. We now know where we are and can duplicate the results. Well done! Sustain (shitsuke) Now that we have a perfect process or work- flow, we have come to the last and most diffi- cult step. What happens in many instances is that we develop the great process and work- space only to review it in a month's time and it has fallen into utter chaos. Am I right? You are nodding your head. is is the step that