Download the guide now to discover how a Lean Lab approach can enhance and sustain efficiency and productivity in your laboratory.
This practical guide presents the following nine essential steps to implement lean principles in your lab. Learn how to identify and eliminate common inefficiencies effectively.
- Housekeeping
- Value stream mapping
- Workload
- Laboratory workflow
- Performance management
- Equipment
- Skills of laboratory personnel
- Laboratory chemicals/auxiliary material
- CIP activities
What is a Lean Lab?
The term "lean" originated in 1990 through MIT researchers studying Toyota's successful production system. Since then, lean principles have spread across industries aiming to reduce errors, minimize delays, lower costs, and improve quality.
Inspired by Lean Manufacturing's success, many laboratories now adopt these principles. Labs face unique challenges compared to manufacturing environments. While core lean principles apply, laboratories require tailored strategies to meet their specific needs.
Potential Benefits of the Lean Lab Approach:
- More defined, structured, and controlled laboratory processes delivering more consistent and predictable laboratory performance
- Significantly increased productivity
- Short turnaround times
- Reduced costs
- Less work in progress
- Improved RFT (Right First Time)
- A detailed understanding of lab capacity and resourcing requirements
- Greater empowerment of laboratory personnel
- A culture of proactive performance management and continuous improvement
- Improved customer service levels
