5S Cross Unit Assessment 2024

Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy

Assistant General Manager – Group Head Business Excellence

Background

The first ever 5S Cross Unit Assessment was successfully completed in the 1^st week of March 2024. Previously, annual 5S Cross unit assessments might have caused some apprehension. However, the recent cross-unit assessment demonstrated a clear change in perspective. Our teams are no longer dreading the 5S process, but rather embracing it as a valuable tool for self-improvement and continuous enhancement of efficiency.

The “cross-unit” aspect of this assessment further emphasizes a collaborative approach. By involving teams from different departments, it fosters a sense of shared responsibility and learning. Units can share best practices and identify areas for improvement across the organization, leading to a more consistent and effective implementation of 5S principles company-wide.

Cross Unit Assessment Summary

This year’s assessment process marked a resounding success on multiple fronts, with the on-time completion of reports taking centre stage. This achievement signifies a significant improvement compared to previous years, where delays in submission of reports might have hampered the overall efficiency.

However, the success story extends further. We witnessed a surge in observer participation, indicating a heightened level of engagement from stakeholders. This increased involvement is crucial as it fosters a sense of shared responsibility and ownership over the assessment process. Furthermore, the inclusion of previous assessors as observers served a dual purpose. It provided them with an opportunity to refresh their knowledge on the fundamentals of the assessment process. Simultaneously, their participation enriched the experience by bringing valuable past experience to the table.

The culmination of these efforts is evident in the remarkable depth of this year’s observer reports. With over 100 + best practises identified across all units, the reports offer a comprehensive and insightful view of the assessment’s impact.

In summary, this year’s assessment process was a triumph of teamwork and continuous improvement. The on-time completion of reports, increased observer participation and the inclusion of seasoned assessment all contributed to a more thorough and insightful evaluation. This collaborative approach paves the way for further progress and refinement in the years to come.

Sl. No	Unit Name	Observer Name	Number of Best Practices Identified
1	KHC	Ms. Pushpanjali (KTN), Ms. Yazini (KCN)	18
2	KTN	Dr Augustine Sylvesterstallone (SKG)	8
3	KCN	Mr.Karthikeyan (KTN)	3
4	KHS	Ms. Jencia (KCN), Ms. Geetha Sharma (KHC)	12
5	KEC	Mr. Athibar Ezhil (SKMC)	9
6	KHO	Ms. Priyanka (SKG), Ms. Devadharshini (SKG), Ms. Jayalekshmi (KHC)	20
7	KTV	Ms. Sakthi K (KCN), Ms. P.Krishnaveni (SKMC), Ms. Suja (SKG)	10
8	KCH	Dr. Lakshmipriya (KHO), Ms. Tamilarasi (KHC), Ms. Sneha (SKMC)	21
Total

Analysis indicates a significant increase in observer participation, which has yielded a corresponding rise in the identification of best practices.

Cross Unit Score

An analysis of the cross-unit scores from the recent 5S Assessment reveals a very positive trend. All units have achieved significant scores, demonstrating their commitment to sustained implementation of 5S practices. This impressive performance across the board is a testament to the ongoing efforts of each unit to maintain a well-organized and efficient work environment.

These strong results also highlight the immense potential for further improvement. The concept of a Model Unit/Hospital Challenge can be leveraged to capitalize on this potential. By creating a competitive environment where units strive to achieve even higher standards, the challenge can inspire innovation and best practice sharing. This can ultimately lead to the emergence of true model units/hospitals that serve as benchmarks for the entire organization.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2024 5S Cross-Unit Assessment signifies a major step forward in establishing a thriving culture of 5S within the Organization.

Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy
Assistant General Manager – Group Head Business Excellence