Lean Six Sigma Essentials for Labs: Practical Tools for Process Improvement

Lean Six Sigma can help laboratories improve quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and strengthen staff engagement, but success depends on applying the right tools to the right problems.

You don’t need prior experience with the Lean Six Sigma approach to begin putting its principles into practice. In this interactive workshop, participants will receive an introduction to the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology and then work through four hands-on exercises based on realistic laboratory scenarios. During these exercises, attendees will explore how to define problems, spot sources of waste, visualize how work moves through a process, and dig into the underlying causes of recurring issues.

The session concludes with a discussion of Lean Six Sigma training and certification options, the value of building improvement skills within the lab, and how laboratory managers can support and guide improvement projects.

Key Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Write an effective problem statement that clearly defines the problem, supporting data, business impact, and scope.
• Identify and recognize the 9 wastes within laboratory and administrative processes.
• Create and interpret a spaghetti map to visualize motion and workflow inefficiencies.
• Apply the 5 Whys method to move beyond symptoms and identify root causes.
• Understand the DMAIC framework and how individual improvement tools fit within it.
• Explain the responsibilities of an effective project champion and how managers can support successful improvement initiatives.

Note: This workshop requires an additional ticket. Space is limited.