Lean Glossary

Sort(Seiri)

Sort = 整理 (SAY-ree)

The first pillar of 5S. Eliminate unnecessary items from the workspace so that only what is truly needed remains.

In lean manufacturing

Seiri is a concept used across lean production to describe: The first pillar of 5S. Eliminate unnecessary items from the workspace so that only what is truly needed remains. It is one of the vocabulary items that operators, team leaders and continuous-improvement engineers rely on daily to describe how work flows through a factory.

Why it matters

Shared vocabulary is what makes lean transformations move. When everyone on the floor uses "Seiri" the same way, teams can spot problems, design experiments and improve processes without translation loss. That common language is a small thing that quietly makes every other improvement effort faster.

Related terms

5S

A five-step workplace organization method that creates a clean, safe, and efficient work environment. The five pillars are: Seiri (Sort) – remove unnecessary items; Seiton (Set in Order) – organize tools and materials; Seiso (Shine) – clean and inspect the workplace; Seiketsu (Standardize) – establish consistent standards; and Shitsuke (Sustain) – maintain discipline and continuously follow the 5S principles.