"Shitsuke" is the fifth "S" of the 5S's. It means to make all the 5S changes and improvements part of daily work so it becomes a habit, a way of life. There are various English translations including: self-discipline, discipline and sustain. I will refer to it as self-discipline.

Consider what would happen to the work area after applying the 5S's without self-discipline. Soon the workplace would revert back to its evil ways of chaos and clutter. Unneeded items would stack up again. Tools would be scattered around the area. People might neglect following safety requirements. Workers would lose more time doing treasure hunts. Customers may even become disappointed with the company's disorganized sites, trailer and offices and go elsewhere. We need to maintain the gains made by the 5S's through self-discipline or our efforts will not yield long term benefits.

Self-discipline is never really done, but is being sustained when:

• The other 4 "S" actions for Sorting, Set-In-Order/Simplifying, Sweeping/Shine and Standardizing/Schedule are followed.
• All changes made by the 5S's are documented and are followed.
• There are daily 5S's activity checklists posted and used.
• The work area is kept neat and clean.

And most important of all, the work (value) flows and treasure hunts are reduced substantially.

Here are some tips in doing the fifth "S" shared by Hiroyuki Hirano, an internationally recognized Lean and 5S guru:

• We should keep in mind that "money is limited, but wisdom is limitless." We need to use all of the employees' brainpower to solve problems and avoid just spending the company's money.
• Be polite when addressing others, and always treat people with respect.
• Wear safety equipment with pride and expect all employees to follow safety requirements.
• Follow the three "specifics" for the 5S's by clearly indicating what (specific items) go where (specific places) and in what amount (specific amounts).
• Focus on getting to the source or root cause of any disorder or dirt so we can prevent it from happening.
• Use a "hands-on" and "here and now" approach. "Hands-on" means go and see what is happening and work through the details of how the process or area should be organized. The "here and now" approach means to deal with problems and deviations from the 5S's plans immediately, not later.
• Improvement requires effort, and effort requires enthusiasm.
• If only a few workers are doing the 5S's, the effort will die a slow but sure death.

Good workplaces are made with 5S and destroyed by the lack of 5S. If we allow a work area to revert back to its bad (pre- 5S) ways, it will destroy the organization of the workflow and cause people to lose interest and commitment.

Work Area Destroyed By the Lack of 5S 

Some useful tools for doing the fifth "S" include a self-audit and the 30-second test. 

The 30-second test is a simpler assessment. It asks the question--can a worker go to a tool box, material storage rack or cabinet and in 30 seconds or less (once he/she reaches the storage area) find what is needed and return to work? If it takes more than 30 seconds, it is not organized as well as possible. This test is especially useful for the new employee who may not know the way things are placed. The tool box, table, cabinet, etc. should be so visually organized that anyone can find what is needed and move on with work. Not only is the desired tool or part easy to find; but it is stocked in sufficient quantity that no one runs out.

Application of the 30 Second Rule 

Part of creating self-discipline is to redo the other four "S's" periodically. The first time workers sort out what is needed and not needed (the first "S",) there is a tendency to hold back on some items. This is "just-in-case thinking". After seeing all five "S's" working, employees are more willing to let hoarded items go in a second round of sorting. The same applies for the second "S" as workers see the need to better locate and mark frequently used tools and supplies so they can pass the 30-second test.

Another aspect of the fifth "S" is continuous education. When a 5S organized gang box is introduced in the field, there is always the objection that the workers will not put the tools back as visually marked. The workers will throw tools in the box any old way. This is probably true for most workers, but does not have to remain that way. Self-discipline includes training, encouraging, and expecting workers to follow the company's rules.

Children are careless of where they put their books, shoes, and toys. They then do treasure hunts when they need the misplaced item. Workers may act like children if not instructed accordingly. The difference between children and adults is the ability to learn and follow rules. As workers learn the importance of doing the 5S's, they will have less treasure hunts, they will buy-in to the method. Management must set the expectations and be consistent in applying it. Lean thinking can (and must) become a way of life in our companies. Self-discipline is the fifth "S" but there is no last step or saying "we're done" -- it is an ongoing process for improvement.

The real goal of Lean in construction is to provide greater value to the customer and reduce waste. This requires a transformation to a culture that thinks Lean. Applying the 5S's is part of that transformation and needs to be maintained. The self-discipline learned in doing the 5S's will carry over to help make any other Lean activities successful. Don't stop at 4S - keep going with five.