The Kanban Playbook

Chapter 2

5S and New Maximum Quantities

5s is comprised of Sort, Set in Order, Scrub, Standardize, and Sustain.

Sorting

Sort is the act of removing and discarding all unnecessary items from a work area; during a Kanban implementation, your implementation team is sorting unneeded, broken, and obsolete inventory. During this sorting phase, the team is also removing excess quantities above your newly established maximum quantities in the Kanban sizing report. When you reset the inventory quantities per the Kanban sizing report, you simply remove the excess and stage as a “use-up” pile. Employees use these items first; when the inventory is gone, you start the new Kanban system. You can also use red tags to mark the items so there is an organized ...