Which term is one of the 5S principles in Lean manufacturing?

• A. Sort
• B. Just-in-time
• C. Kanban
• D. Value stream mapping

Answer: (A)

In Lean, workplace organization is built around the 5S method, and Sort is the first element. Sort means going through everything in the work area and keeping only what is actively needed for current tasks, while removing or setting aside items that are unnecessary. This reduces clutter, saves time spent searching for tools, and helps prevent errors or accidents, creating a safer and more efficient workflow. The other terms listed relate to different Lean concepts: Just-in-time is about producing to demand to minimize inventory, Kanban is a signaling system to trigger material flow, and Value stream mapping analyzes and redesigns the flow of value-adding steps. Thus, Sort is the term that directly corresponds to a 5S principle.