Workplace disorganization is one of the most common yet overlooked causes of low productivity, poor quality, and unsafe conditions in manufacturing plants. This paper presents a conceptual and literature-based study of the 5S methodology, a simple and structured workplace organization technique consisting of five stages: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. The paper explains the origin and meaning of 5S, describes each of its five pillars in practical terms, and lays out a step-by-step procedure suitable for implementing 5S on an actual shop floor. It further examines how 5S influences operational efficiency parameters such as productivity, cycle time, floor space utilization, quality, and safety, drawing on findings reported in published case studies from small-scale and large manufacturing units. Common benefits, industrial applications across different sectors, typical implementation challenges, and best practices for sustaining the system over the long term are also discussed. The study concludes that while 5S is technically simple, its long-term success depends far more on discipline, employee involvement, and management commitment than on any special equipment or investment, making it one of the most accessible and cost-effective tools available for improving operational performance in manufacturing organizations.