Geniu

25 years of Lean Lab
2026-09-17 09:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Learning contentIncreasing 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 groupThe 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. StructureThe 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

Participation option: Online (Microsoft Teams)
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 effectivelyComparison of the profitability of optimization with lean vs. digitalizationIndustry/Laboratory 4.0 Trends that are changing the laboratoryWhich technologies/applications are worthwhile for use in the laboratory?Relation of digital solutions to lean managementProcedure 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 laboratoriesExamples of key performance/quality indicators (KQIs/KPIs) to measure the progress of a Lean Lab transformationStructure of a key figure systemExample “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*

4,9/5

Based on the evaluation of participant feedback from the seminar "Lean Management in the Laboratory" on May 6 and 7, 2019.

4,8/5

Based on the evaluation of participant feedback from the seminar "Lean Management in the Laboratory" on September 29 and 30, 2020.

4,9/5

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.”

*These participant voices were mentioned in the exact wording in the written feedback for the seminar

Speaker Dr. Wolf-Christian GerstnerDr. 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 participantsThe number of participants is limited to 10 in order to respond to the participants individually. Secure one of the coveted places now. PriceThe 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.

Lean management in the laboratory - training (presence)
2026-09-19 08:00 - 16:30 | House Rissen, Rissener Landstrasse 193, Hamburg, 22559

Laboratory planning - Webinar
2026-09-24 14:00 - 15:00

Webinar "Lean Lab" - Successful optimizations in the laboratory
2026-10-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-26 14:00 - 15:00

Robots & automation in the lab - Webinar
2026-11-12 14:00 - 15:00
