VSM Studio
VSM guide / Lean tools / 5S audit checklist
5S audit checklist
Score a work area on all five S with 20 checklist items, see the result on a radar chart, keep a history of audits and a red-tag log. In the builder, the AI can take a first pass from a photo of the area. Free, no sign-up.
The five S
Sort (Seiri)
Keep only what the current work needs. Red-tag everything else and decide: discard, store elsewhere, or return.
Set in order (Seiton)
A labeled home for everything, at the point of use: shadow boards, floor marking, min/max on stock. Anyone can see what's missing.
Shine (Seiso)
Clean, and inspect while cleaning: leaks, loose bolts and wear show up early. Fix the sources of dirt, not just the dirt.
Standardize and Sustain
Write down how the area should look, assign who does what, audit on a schedule and close the actions. Without these two, the first three slide back in weeks.
How to run a 5S audit
Walk the area with the people who work in it. Score each item 0 to 4, honestly, and save the audit. Audit again every week or two: the radar shows the previous audit as a dashed outline, so progress (or slipping) is obvious. Fix the weakest S first.
In the VSM Studio builder, open 5S audit on a process box. The latest score shows as a badge on the box, and you can score from a photo with AI.
Questions
How is a 5S audit scored?
Each of the 20 items is scored 0 (not started) to 4 (excellent). Each S is the average of its four items as a percentage, and the total is the average of the five S.
How often should we do 5S audits?
Weekly or every two weeks at first, by a mix of area team members and a leader from outside the area. Once the score is stable, monthly is often enough.
What is a red tag?
A tag put on any item that may not be needed in the area. Tagged items go to a holding zone; after a set time they are discarded, moved or returned. The log here tracks them.
Can AI really score 5S from a photo?
It gives a useful first pass on Sort, Set in order and Shine: clutter, missing labels, dirt and blocked aisles are visible in a photo. Standardize and Sustain need a person to check, so the AI leaves them to you.