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For the sake of this discussion let's use the example of a project that is strictly virtual. There is no one workplace. There may only be the space of conversation. This extreme view addresses the minimum condition for all projects: that is people are necessarily in conversations making declarations, assessments, requesting, and promising. There may not be any materiel in the strictest sense of the word. There is no place, no tools, no physical material, and no one in any acts of transforming material. In other words, horsepower work (acting on materiel) is a special case of project work.

So what are we doing? Are we doing problem solving? Maybe. Are we learning? Probably. Might we be innovating? That would be nice. At the essence of all projects we are setting out to fulfill the promise(s) of the project. Maybe one or more of us took part in making those promises. Maybe someone else (sales) made the promises. In any case, it is up to us and the rest of the project team to make good on the project. When we act otherwise we only generate waste.

So, you ask, how does 5S fit in? If we're not dealing with materiel, then the notion of a visual workplace doesn't make sense. Sure, we could talk about the organization of desks, computer databases, email, reporting, etc. But that is all incidental to the actions of fulfilling promises. Instead, how about the listening workplace? Weird? Only in the sense that there might not be a place in workplace. Otherwise, the capacity for listening and eliciting the listening of others is the greatest determinant of success in conversation and therefore the success of the project.

Tomorrow, I'll propose a protocol for the listening workplace based on five Rs. It is aimed at minimizing the waste in conversations while contributing to the flow on the project. Stay tuned…it can't get any weirder, or can it?