Process design focuses on the smart organisation of work processes, workplaces, and standards. A clear and efficient design reduces waste and increases predictability. This forms the basis for stable processes and successful Continuous Improvement.
Symbol helps organisations design and implement an efficient process design that structurally improves performance.
5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain) ensures a safe and professional workplace. Deviations from the standard become visible more quickly and waste is reduced. This increases productivity and creates a solid foundation for continuous improvement.
Result: a safe and professional workplace leads to fewer disruptions.
A visual work environment is a follow-up to 5S and makes performance and deviations immediately transparent. The work environment becomes ‘self-explanatory’, meaning it is clear to everyone what the situation is and what needs to be done. By using clear KPI boards, signals, and standards, employees know where they stand.
Result: a well-organised workplace leads to fewer disruptions.
Standardised work describes the best known method for a process. It safeguards quality, shortens induction time, and reduces variation. Standards form the starting point for further optimisation within Continuous Improvement. Without a standard, no improvement is possible.
Result: early insight into deviations and problems.
What is 5S and how does it contribute to a professional work environment?
5S is a Lean method (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain) for organising workplaces efficiently. It increases safety, productivity, and quality. A professional work environment makes deviations immediately visible and supports continuous improvement.
What is the difference between 5S and a visual work environment?
5S focuses on order, cleanliness, and standardisation of the physical workplace. A visual work environment builds on this by making performance, goals, and deviations visible. Together, they ensure both structure and transparency in daily operations.
What is standardised work and why is it essential in Lean?
Standardised work describes the best known way to perform a task. It creates predictability, quality, and transferability. Standards form the basis for further optimisation and continuous improvement.
How do you ensure that standards are actually complied with?
Assurance requires clear ownership, regular audits and daily management. By making performance visual and discussing deviations immediately, standards are kept alive. Discipline in follow-up prevents a relapse into old habits.
How does process design contribute to Operational Excellence?
Process design ensures clear work agreements, logical process flows, and clear responsibilities. This reduces waste and creates predictability in performance. A stable foundation enables targeted improvement and prevents problems from recurring.
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