Here’s how to make a 6S board in 6 steps…
Firstly, decide where to put your 6S Board. Above all, locate your board somewhere easily visible near your process. If a wall mounted 6S board is unworkable then consider a mobile board instead.
Secondly, make clear what you are assessing. So define each S. For instance the 5s framework Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain. In addition, the sixth S (often Safety). Furthermore, how each relates to your workplace. In addition, use a visual indicator to show status of each, at a glance.
Next, define a clear area for daily tracking. In other words, a place on your board that visually shows progress for your 6S strategy each day. For example, see the dry eraze ‘6S’ section in these projects. In addition, choose how your daily tracking works. In other words, does it need to reflect a single, double or triple shift pattern?
Subsequently, make visual standards accessible and clear. That is to say, show in photos what the work setting looks like in its best state. This is the visual reference so colleagues know what to aim for. Show further documents too. For example, those relating to Safety and Audits.
Further ideas: add an improvements area to your 6S board and drive action. Furthermore, assign ownership for different improvements at your workplace. In addition, track your 6S score. Above all, foster a culture of sustainment.
Finally, make it easy to update. As a result, see information in real time. Therefore, reflect your area as it is right now.
How to make a 6S Board – in brief
- Decide where to put your 6S board (in the area it relates to)
- Define what each S means and how you are assessing it in your workplace
- Set an area on your 6S board for daily tracking to sustain best habit
- Make visual standards clear and accessible
- Include an area to capture suggestions and points of action
- Consider how to assess Safety. Perhaps, for example with an Action Plan or Safety Cross.
Further 6S resources
More on 6S boards
More on 5S boards
Further examples
Our Approach
We create visual management boards everyday. As a result we have plenty of experience. We work for organisations in food production, the power industry, national rail, pharmaceuticals, education, healthcare, packaging and distribution.
Our team works with a simple idea or sketch and creates a professionally designed layout. This is then turned into a highly functional visual management board.
We offer customised options because we want to create the perfect board for you. So, here are a few examples. We can add magnetic areas or a dry-wipe finish (for use with whiteboard pens). Furthermore, you can choose Red/Green sliders or R.A.G. (Red, Amber, Green) status dials so you can quickly and visually update your board. These are just a few examples of the ways in which our boards can be tailored to meet your needs. You may also be interested in whiteboard overlays that can be used on top of an existing magnetic board.