Worked 5S examples
Follow the evidence from visible condition to practical experiment. These illustrative examples show how CSI separates observation, interpretation, proposed action, and verification. They are teaching aids—not claims about a real workplace.
Run your own audit Worked example
See how evidence becomes an action plan. This reviewed example shows how a visible condition becomes a proposed action and a question to verify at gemba.
1 2 3 4 5 6 AI-generated training example Evidence 1 of 6 High confidence
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Mixed inventory at point of use Unidentified containers occupy the active material zone.
Current grade D
Potential grade B Proposed experiment Red-tag uncertain stock, assign a quarantine location, and record disposition within 48 hours.
1 2 3 4 5 6
Current overall D
Sort D potential B
Set in order C potential A
Shine C potential B
Standardize F potential C
Sustain D potential C
Safety C potential B
Potential grades are not earned until changes are implemented, verified, and sustained.
Illustrative case studies
See how a stronger workplace condition could look. Each example shows a proposed future condition. Use it to discuss flow, visual control, cleaning, and what still needs verification at gemba.
← Machining CNC machine shopAssembly Small-parts assembly cellMaintenance Maintenance work area
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Machining · current D · proposed A
CNC machine shop A machining bay with shared gauges, tooling, cleaning materials, and incoming work.
What the image can show: 13 visible conditions illustrated · 12 conditions require on-site verification.
Changes shown in the concept Sort Control active and uncertain tooling Necessary tooling stays at point of use while uncertain items move to one bounded status area.
Set in order Make every home and boundary obvious Defined holders, bins, cart locations, and floor limits make missing or misplaced items visible.
Shine Clean every equipment surface Machine faces, windows, guards, benches, carts, bins, and the chip-container exterior are visibly clean with a realistic maintained sheen.
Shine Apply Shine to the whole frame Floors, markings, walls, storage, access routes, and lighting reach the same standard instead of leaving a clean island.
AI-generated concept for discussion. It does not prove implementation, sustainment, safety, compliance, or an earned grade. Virtual Patrick · Operations coach Move from example to experiment
Apply the thinking to your own process. Use Virtual Patrick to examine the actual condition, define the expected condition, and choose the smallest useful experiment for your team.
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