At its core, the LeanLab approach is all about doing more with less – less time, less waste, and fewer resources – without sacrificing quality.
If you’re wondering how to implement lean management principles into your laboratory, you’re in the right place. Read on to get the easy-to-follow action plan that will help you improve operational efficiency by using these amazingly simple yet smart LeanLab principles.
The first one?
Identify Waste in Your Laboratory
There are three big resource wasters that make a laboratory less efficient:
#1: Doing too much
What it is: Sometimes, we do more tests or checks than needed. This can waste time and supplies and can even make more room for mistakes.
LeanLab Solution: LeanLab says to keep it simple. Make sure you’re only doing what’s necessary by having clear steps and talking to your clients or team about what they really need. This way, you do the job right without extra fuss.
#2: Too Much Stuff
What it is: Keeping too many supplies or equipment around can clutter your space and waste money, especially if those items expire or become outdated.
LeanLab Solution: LeanLab suggests ordering supplies just when you need them, not way in advance. This approach, called Just-In-Time (JIT), helps you keep only what you need on hand, reducing clutter and saving you money.
#3: Waiting Around
What it is: Waiting happens when you can’t move forward because you’re waiting for samples, information, or equipment. It slows everything down.
LeanLab Solution: LeanLab encourages arranging your workspace so everything flows naturally, using equipment that matches current needs, and training your team to do multiple tasks. This way, work keeps moving without unnecessary stops.
Speed Up Lab Processes with LeanLab Principles
As just explained, to make your lab run more efficiently, introduce some changes to your day-to-day workflows and procedures. What changes?
For example, you may consider using more visual cues to quickly communicate information. And this can be literally anything from color-coded labels to floor markings or charts that show who is responsible for what.
Another idea to consider is using a methodology, which is a system of organizing and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. In a lab, this might mean creating a specific place for all equipment and labeling these spots. After an experiment, everyone knows to clean the equipment and return it to its labeled spot. This makes it easy to find what you need and keeps the lab tidy.
Tools and Techniques for LeanLab Success
To make your lab leaner, do what you can to be sure your teams have only the most important tools – such as Kanban boards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – within reach.
Kanban boards help you visually manage workflow. Simply map out tasks on a board with columns like “Pending,” “In Progress,” and “Done” to identify bottlenecks quickly.
SOPs ensure everyone follows the same steps, reducing errors and inconsistencies. Draft clear, step-by-step instructions for common procedures and make them easily accessible to all lab members.
