With a plethora of (mostly free) 5S audit checklists available today), it can be overwhelming to choose the one best suited for your specific needs.
To help you make an informed decision, we have ranked 20 of the most popular 5S (6s and 7s too) audit checklists. Of course you can make your own from scratch and use these 5s check-list examples for inspiration.
Let’s dive in and find the ideal 5S audit forms for your workplace!
Remember – if you want to create your own custom 5s checklist – check out Audit Shine
= you must enter your email address to download
1. CI Toolkit
Ease to download the template: A (immediate download) ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Checklist content: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
These guys know what they are doing. You get 5 different options and you can immediately download the files (no messing around):
1) 5S Audit Check-list (20 KB Excel file),
2) 5S Audit Check-list – Manufacturing (284 KB PDF),
3) 5S Audit Check-list – Offices (284 KB PDF),
4) 5S Audit Check-list – Manufacturing (20 KB Word.doc),
5) 5S Audit Check-list – Offices (20 KB Word.doc)
We examined the 5S Audit Checklist – Manufacturing (284 KB PDF) and it packs in 28 items, has room for comments and the CI Toolkit branding is minimal. It could work on the shop floor or in the office. Bravo!
Link to template: CI Toolkit
2. Association of Manufacturing Excellence
Ease to download the template: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
A quality template with flexibility to input your own scoring method. Flexibility that could be valuable in everything from a laboratory to an office environment to a healthcare facility.
We like that it automatically calculates some elements of the Score because that saves time.
Four questions per ‘S’, for example “Floors, walls, and desk surfaces are free of dirt, and excess paperwork.”
Link to template: AME 5s Excel Template
** Warning – the link opens up the ‘Download template’ page directly. Don’t worry – we downloaded it – it’s safe.
3. Muda Masters
Ease to download the template: A (immediate download) ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
MudaMasters are serious about all things Lean so you know this offering isn’t just going to be something hastily put together by the marketing department to get leads. Whether it’s reducing downtime, reducing motion, or sustaining 5s – MudaMasters know what they are talking about. This template doesn’t disappoint. It’s well laid out.
MudaMasters branding is noticeable but not in-your-face. Scoring is either 1, 3 or 5 but we prefer 1 2 3 4 5. Of course, different people have different ways to do 5s.
There are some other goodies on this page and we encourage you to check it out.
Link to template: Muda Masters
4. Elsmar Cove Quality Forum – free template
Ease to download the template: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: A (none) ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
We like the ‘Concern’, ‘Plus Points’ and ‘Suggestions’ area at the end – nice! This is a solid template that will help with your drive to get buy-in for your 5s program.
In contrast to the AME template above, this Excel file has no calculations built in. Not adaptable – so if you want to move up from 5s to 7s (and add in Safety and Spirit)… you are out of luck.
Link to template: Elsmar Cove Microsoft Excel 5s template
** Warning – again, the link opens up the ‘Download template’ page directly. Don’t worry – we downloaded it – it’s safe.
5. Conger
Ease to download the template: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Checklist content: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
This warehouse-focused checklist that is well laid out. It could be used daily, weekly or monthly – find the 5s audit schedule that works for you.
PDF and Excel file download links can be found halfway through this meaty “Warehouse 5S: The Ultimate Guide [FREE 5S Checklist Inside!]” article (link under the screenshot).
We recommend downloading the Excel version as it’s easy to then delete the Conger logo! You could also rework it as an LPA template. See also – Audit Shine’s 5s Audit Checklist for Warehouses article.
Link to template: Conger template
6. Iowa Department of Management
Ease to download the template: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
We’re a little unsure if this file is open for public use. But hey – it’s out there on the internet and there’s no warnings or similar about usage.
To use this checklist, you copy it to a Google Docs account. From there you could covert it to a .xls file or whatever format you need. There’s a link halfway down the page. The checklist itself is office-focused, for example for ‘Set’ it asks “Bookshelf/cabinet materials labeled and organized”. A 5s or 6s audit form you should check out.
Link to template: Lean Mfg Online template
7. C-Sense Management Solutions
Ease to download the template: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
We prefer one page over two page templates, but still this is a fine offering.
The link below will open up the 5s audit checklist PDF where you will see a neat columns for ‘Remarks & Suggestions’ and a Score (no range)
Less common things featured in this template include a box for ‘Zone’ and ‘Zone leader’.
Link to template: C-sendse template
8. International Standard for Lean Six Sigma (ISLSS)
Ease to download the template: B (it’s there but hard to find) ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
This template by consultancy firm ISLSS sets itself apart with its 5 tabs which include instructions, information on Standards and advice on Implementation. Say goodbye to shop-floor machine downtime, maybe?!
The template has a 1-5 rating scale. It might be ideal as a 5s daily checklist.
If the colors are not to your liking you can edit them in the excel file. You can craft the 5s audit check sheet you need.
Link to template: open now ** Warning – again, the link opens up the ‘Download template’ page directly. The 5s audit checklist xls will immediately download. Don’t worry – we downloaded it – it’s safe
9. NiftySol
Ease to download the template: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
This 5s or 6s Audit Check list is only available in PDF format.
This of course means you are stuck with what NiftSol included in their Audit Sheet / form. But maybe it’s what your Visual 5s system needs.
Check it out…
Link to template: Nifty Sol 5s-6s template
5. Lean Manufacturing.online
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
A factory-focused checklist, with five questions for each of the 5 S’s. This may be the 5s Audit form you are looking for. It could work well with the right 5s Audit Training.
We liked the definition of the ‘Score Criteria’ at the end – not every one listed in this article offers that.
This would have been higher up the rankings except for clicking on ‘Download’ brings you to an ‘Add to Cart’ page. Although the cost is $0, some folks may not want to go to all that fuss.
Link to template: Lean Mfg template
11. Creately’s easy online diagram editor Template ✉️
Ease to download the template: C ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
The good thing about this template is you can edit it online easily.
The bad thing is you have to sign up for Creately to do that. Audit Shine doesnt’ make you do that!
Link to template: link
12. iAuditor 5S Audit form ✉️
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
This high-quality template would be higher up the list except…. you have to sign up for a Safety Culture account before accessing it.
But… based on the example report (https://safetyculture.com/wp-content/media/2023/05/5S-Audit-Checklist-Sample-PDF-Report.pdf ) maybe it’s worth the trouble.
It’s still a paper-checklist though and at Audit Shine we believe paper audits are a waste.
Link to template: iAuditor template
13. 5s Today ✉️
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
5S Today sells all kinds of 5S-related products including floor markings, labels, Red Tags. Your factory’s credit card won’t know what hit it! 🙂
The check-list template ‘card’ looks good but it’s hidden behind a request for an email address.
Link to template: 5s Today Link
14. Graphic Products 5S Audit Checklist ✉️
Ease to download the template: D (you have to enter your email to get it) ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
Wow – they sure offer a lot of stuff in this ’28-page guide’ (including checklists).
But…. you’ve probably guessed it…. you have to sign up with them to get hold of the doc. We didn’t do that (yet).
Link to template: link
15. Weever ✉️
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of tdhe creator: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Checklist content: A ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Software company Weever boasts a top-tier collection of clients: Walmart, Pepsi, McDonalds. I wonder what kinds of audits they are doing.
Enter your details to access the template.
Link to template: Weever 5s template
16. GoAudits Warehouse Checklist ✉️
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Checklist content: B ⭑⭑⭑⭑✩
You can download a sample of the template but to use it – you have to sign up for GoAudits tool.
Link to template: link
17. Creative Safety Supply 5S 6s 7s Audit Checklist ✉️
Ease to download the template: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Branding of the creator: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Checklist content: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Creative Safety Supply provides a pretty user-friendly 5S Audit program Checklist suitable for businesses in various industries, whether you are full six-sigma or just getting started.
However – you have to input your email address to get hold of the 5-page PDF.
Link to template: checkilst
18. qValon ✉️
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Checklist content: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
This is one of the more intriguing check sheets we looked at. You can actually fill in the example template live on this page.
Please ignore the ‘Tobacco-wba’ in the screenshot – it’s not related to Tobacco. Helping tobacco firms with continuous improvement is not what we want at AuditShine!
But if you want to Download the template or ‘Finish’ it by submitting you need to sign up for the qValon software.
Link to template: qValon template
19. Taskade – AI powered live checklist ✉️
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Checklist content: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
We are intrigued by this ‘AI powered live checklist’. Could it be the perfect solution for 7s, safety audit, layered process audits – maybe! If you try it in your factory – do let us know.
But forcing us to sign up for the Taskade app – we don’t like it. We prefer the Audit Shine 5s audit app!
Link to template: access checklist
20. Xenia ✉️
Ease to download the template: D ⭑⭑✩✩✩
Branding of the creator: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Checklist content: C ⭑⭑⭑✩✩
Xenia describes itself as “The Workforce Operations Platform for Frontline Teams – Seamlessly coordinate task execution, facility maintenance, and compliance across your operations”. That’s a nice tag line.
Its template looks good but you have to register.
Link to template: link
Conclusion
Whether you’re a small business owner or a large-scale corporation, implementing 5S principles can yield significant improvements in productivity, employee morale, and overall efficiency.
To ensure successful implementation and maintenance of the 5S system, audit checklists play a pivotal role. These check lists act as a roadmap to measure the effectiveness of 5S practices and identify areas that require improvement… after all continuous improvement is what we are seeking, right?
Implementing the 5S methodology can significantly improve workplace organization, safety, and efficiency. According to Lean Transition Solutions:
"When 5S methodology becomes part of an organisation's culture and routine processes, it promotes teamwork and a shared dedication to achieving goals with excellence."
The diverse selection of downloadable checklists mentioned in this article caters to various industries and workplace types, providing valuable resources for businesses striving to enhance their 5S practices. By utilizing these forms, organizations can identify areas for improvement, implement corrective actions, and foster a culture of excellence and efficiency in their workplaces.
Kridish from industrial and manufacturing engineering firm IET says:
“5S isn’t just about tidying up the workspace, it creates a culture of being efficient where everything that you use for the tasks at hand has its own place to put. That will help you in instilling a sense of ownership of their workspace in your employees which in turn will help drive continuous improvement.”
Remember to visit the respective links to access these valuable resources and embark on your journey towards a more organized and optimized workplace.
You may also like our LPA Audit Checklist guide >>
