1.01 Sort Necessary Items from Unnecessary Items
1.01 Sort Necessary Items from Unnecessary Items
Overview
Applying the Sort activity to the home means that you will sort through everything in the target area, separate the items that are unnecessary or in the wrong location, and remove those items from the target area.
Even if you have done some level of sorting in your life, the Sort task may not be quite as easy as it seems. Ultimately, you want everyone performing this step in the same way – the best way. This step is a way to educate participants about the power of the Sort activity.
Objectives
- Sort through…sort out
- Reinvent the target area
- Decide on how things “should” be organized
- When in doubt, throw it out
- Get to the bare essentials based on the intended function of the target area
Time to Complete
60 – 120 Minutes
| Inputs | Where/From |
| Completed 6S Audit Form | Sub-Process 0.02 Complete 6S Audit of Target Area |
| 6S Participant(s) | Household |
| Sort Procedure | 6ssuccess.com |
| Sort Inspection Checklist | 6sscuccess.com |
| Red Tag Checklist | 6ssuccess.com |
| Unnecessary Item Checklist | 6sscuccess.com |
| Outputs | Possible Metrics |
| Necessary Items Located in Target Area | # of Necessary Items |
| Unnecessary Items Removed from Target Area | # of Unnecessary Items |
| Red Tagged Items | # of Red Tagged Items |
| Sorted Target Area | Time to Complete Sort |
Steps to Complete
- Review 6S Sort procedure
- Adapt Sort procedure to target area
- Prepare boxes and temporary holding area
- Identify unnecessary items
- Remove unnecessary items to temporary holding area
Tips and Tricks
- Make red tagging and sorting items easy. Trying to figure out how to do something while trying to do it is not typically a pleasant experience for most people. Also, if they have to try to figure out a whole new process and procedure while still trying to complete their regular day to day activities, they may resist or give up easily.
- Keep in mind that anything that can hide things – like drawers, cabinets and closets – is the enemy. Things are always “hidden” in these areas and are ripe with opportunities for improvement.
- Understand that some people may go through “sorter’s remorse.” Sorter’s remorse occurs when people have established some kind of rational or irrational attachment to unneeded items. Pack rat’s often will go through Sorter’s remorse. People with a “Just in Case” habit of keeping things may also go through Sorter’s remorse.
- Look at EVERY item in the target area with new eyes. No matter how large or small an item is, reevaluate it based on the intended primary function of the target area and leverage the Item Disposition List.
