What should be done during the 'Sort' phase of 5S?

During the 'Sort' phase of 5S, the primary focus is on distinguishing between necessary and unnecessary items within a workspace. This involves evaluating all items and removing those that do not add value to the operations or processes. The goal is to create a more efficient and effective working environment by ensuring that only essential items are retained.

This phase is critical because it sets the foundation for subsequent actions in the 5S methodology, such as organizing and standardizing work areas. By decluttering and eliminating unnecessary items, it simplifies the search for tools and materials, reduces distractions, and contributes to overall workplace efficiency.

While organizing items by color, labeling items, or assigning tasks can be helpful in their own rights, they do not align with the primary objective of the Sort phase, which is centered on sorting and removing superfluous items.