Learning content
Increasing work and sample volumes with the same laboratory team. Always new tasks and targets to meet? In order to successfully master these challenges, you should look into the possibilities of laboratory optimization with Lean. Lean, with its established lean techniques, has been used with great success not only in industry, but also in numerous laboratories. In this seminar, you will not only learn the basics of lean (e.g. 5S and waste) but also how to apply lean management in your laboratory. In practical exercises, you will develop starting points for laboratory optimization with Lean for your laboratory. The training also includes numerous practical examples and ideas for digitalization, which will give you food for thought for implementation in your laboratory. You can also discuss laboratory optimization with the participants and the speaker.
Target group
The seminar is aimed at laboratory managers, laboratory/team leaders, managers and responsible employees from routine/quality control laboratories and research and development laboratories (operating or contract laboratories) who want to improve/optimize their laboratory in terms of productivity, costs, quality, reliability, throughput time and adherence to deadlines.
Structure
The training comprises one day on the basics, techniques and the procedure for introducing Lean Lab. It is offered as a live webinar. In addition, the live webinar modules M1, M2 and M3 can be optionally booked depending on interest. These usually take place on Thursdays between 3:30 and 5:00 pm; the specific dates will be determined by the first day of training depending on the registration situation.
Program
Day 1: Basics, techniques and procedure | 15.04.2026 | 09:00 - 17:00
Basics of lean management in the laboratory
- What lean really means: lean basics and principles
- Difference between “classic management” and “lean management”
- Connection between Lean, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM) and “Agile”
- The origin of lean in the laboratory: development of the application in laboratories
Tailoring Lean Lab to your goals
- The benefits of lean in the laboratory (including the results of empirical studies)
- The “magic triangle” of laboratory optimization: improving costs, quality and time
- The 3 M’s of lean management
- Exercise: Which improvements will help you the most to achieve your goals? Prioritize possible improvement topics.
Lean techniques and tools for laboratories
- Overview of lean techniques
- Results of Geniu’s study on the most common lean tools in the laboratory
- Special features of Lean for laboratories
- Get to know lean techniques and tools, e.g:
- Value stream mapping
- Waste analysis
- Route analysis
- 5S
- Standard processes
- Kanban
- Ishikawa or herringbone model and 5Why
- Visual Management
- Other: One-Pice-Flow, Cycle, Leveling, OEE
- Exercise: Game for 5S
- Exercise: Lean Lab Simulation
- Exercise: Learn what you can achieve with which lean tools in the laboratory. Systematize the tools together to identify which tool is suitable for what.
Shaping lean transformation in the lab
- Process of a lean transformation
- Case studies of successful lean transformations in the laboratory
- Designing a successful lean transformation
- Procedure for starting a Lean Lab project
- Exercise: Create your lean transformation plan in an exercise
Module M1 (optional): Lean Lab & Digitalization | Thursdays
Participation option: Live webinar
- The connection between lean and digitalization: using similarities effectively
- Comparison of the profitability of optimization with lean vs. digitalization
- Industry/Laboratory 4.0 Trends that are changing the laboratory
- Which technologies/applications are worthwhile for use in the laboratory?
- Relation of digital solutions to lean management
- Procedure for identifying and evaluating potential applications
Module M2 (optional): Lean Lab & Key Figures | Thursdays
Participation option: Live webinar
- Function of key figures for the daily management of laboratories
- Examples of key performance/quality indicators (KQIs/KPIs) to measure the progress of a Lean Lab transformation
- Structure of a key figure system
- Example “Balanced Scorecard”
- Use of benchmarks
Module M3 (optional): Success factors of lean transformations | Thursdays
Participation option: Live webinar
- 10 success factors for laboratory optimization projects: What are the success factors for successful lean projects in the lab?
- Typical mistakes: What mistakes should you avoid?
- Why is the introduction of 5S rarely the right start for Lean in the laboratory? Why is a laboratory with 5S a start but still far from lean?
- What distinguishes companies that fully realize the benefits of lean
References and participant testimonials*
Based on the evaluation of participant feedback from the seminar "Lean Management in the Laboratory" on May 6 and 7, 2019.
Based on the evaluation of participant feedback from the seminar "Lean Management in the Laboratory" on September 29 and 30, 2020.
Based on the evaluation of participant feedback from the seminar "Lean Management in the Laboratory" on September 22, 2021.
“A very successful event.”
“Very likeable and competent speaker!”
“Thank you very much! We have gained many new approaches for laboratory operations!”
“Helpful exchange of experience and good examples!”
“Very comprehensive presentation of the topic; speaker spontaneously addressed the participants’ issues.”
Speaker
Dr. Wolf-Christian Gerstner
Dr. Wolf-Christian Gerstner is “the” Lean Lab expert in Europe. He has more than 15 years of experience from over 100 laboratory optimization projects for small, medium and large laboratories in Europe, USA and Asia. Optimization topics include lean for laboratory processes, the introduction of 5S, the optimal design of laboratory layouts for new buildings and conversions (“lean lab design”), the introduction of key performance indicators, automation and digitalization, laboratory benchmarking, reduction of throughput times, optimization of documentation, reduction of error rates and the introduction of laboratory planning and capacity management systems.
Number of participants
The number of participants is limited to 10 in order to respond to the participants individually. Secure one of the coveted places now.
Price
The participation fee for day 1 is € 599.00 plus VAT (participation on site incl. lunch and coffee breaks as well as printout/folder of the documents) or € 499 plus VAT for online training.
The supplementary modules M1, M2 and M3 can be booked at a price of € 199.00 plus VAT each, i.e. they are optional.
In addition, there is the possibility of individual coaching by the Geniu expert/speaker on the introduction of Lean in your own laboratory or on the design of your own Lean Lab transformation plan at a price of EUR 389.00 for 2 hours of support via video meeting.