At UC Davis, building a culture of continuous improvement means making small, practical changes that lead to meaningful gains in efficiency, clarity, and well-being. The 5S Your Outlook Inbox workshop is a powerful example of how Lean thinking can be applied to the digital workspace to make everyday work easier and less overwhelming.

The 5S method – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain – has long been used to organize physical spaces. This training translates those same principles into a simple, repeatable system for managing email overload. Participants not only reduce clutter but also build habits that help sustain organization long after the session ends. 

Quantifiable Efficiency Gains (as of December 2025)

• 196 participants
• 80,416 emails eliminated
  • An average of 410 emails cleared per participant
  • In the November 13, 2025, session alone, 35 participants eliminated 21,455 emails in just two hours – about 612 emails per person
• Estimated time saved: If each deleted email represents just 30 seconds of review time avoided, this equates to approximately 670 hours regained – nearly 17 full workweeks of productivity across campus. 

Beyond the numbers, participants consistently describe the course as “very helpful, with information you can use right away,” and praise the built-in work time and highly engaging facilitation that motivates immediate action. Many also report reduced stress, improved focus, and greater clarity in their daily work. 

This is Lean in action – small, targeted improvements delivering meaningful, sustainable change.

Get Involved

Interested in experiencing the benefits firsthand? Sign up for 5S Your Outlook Inbox in UC Learning and start reclaiming time, clarity, and control in your digital workspace. 

Register Here