| In these tough economic times, an efficiently run lean | | | | free of clutter. |
| laboratory makes sense. Lean laboratories focus on | | | | Another key component includes standard work |
| testing that delivers quick, cost-effective results. This | | | | which ensures minimum variation in how process |
| organizational process has also been used in the | | | | steps are performed. It's advised to use photos and |
| manufacturing industries to produce dynamic results. | | | | videos for training purposes so that SOPs (standard |
| Pharmaceutical consultants emphasize that a lean | | | | operating procedures) are implemented correctly.o By |
| laboratory saves resources, time, and expenses - | | | | separating process steps, labs create hand-over |
| which is much needed in the competitive | | | | points - which reduces delays and increases batching |
| pharmaceutical industry. | | | | of worko The goal is to make sure process steps |
| Another key component to running an efficient lean | | | | are close to each other (within a few steps)o 50 to |
| lab is value stream mapping - a process which | | | | 75% of turnaround time is eliminated when this type |
| identifies each step as either valuable or invaluable. | | | | of work flow/process steps are applied in lean lab |
| The following seven wastes don't add value to lab | | | | environments |
| work flow and should be carefully monitored:o | | | | Little's Law states that turn around time increases in |
| Transportation of goodso Inventory storageo | | | | direct proportion to the amount of WIP (work in |
| Movement of peopleo Waitingo Over-productiono | | | | progress).o Simple control methods such as |
| Over-processingo Defects | | | | completion priority can be implemented to reduce |
| Storage and waiting steps contribute to 90% | | | | turn around time.o Completion priority (resources are |
| turnaround time. Value stream maps create a much | | | | moved to work at a later stage compared to |
| better workflow within the lab environment. It ties | | | | beginning new work) reduces turn around time by up |
| process steps closer together and helps identify | | | | to 50%. |
| areas where the biggest waste occurs. Sometimes | | | | A popular tool that is commonly used in lean |
| these delays and wastes aren't obvious to the | | | | laboratories is process simulation. Process simulation |
| employees involved. The goal behind value stream | | | | creates a virtual model that allows for |
| mapping is to eliminate these delays and streamline | | | | experimentation in a cost-free environment (and |
| process steps. | | | | doesn't disrupt ongoing processes). Some examples |
| One of the key principles applied to lean laboratories | | | | include: equipment, processes, or staffing may be |
| is that physical environment greatly impacts how | | | | altered, added or removed. |
| people work and how they produce. When looking at | | | | Ant life sciences consulting firm will tell you that not |
| a lean lab layout, it's advised to review how much lab | | | | only do lean laboratories save the pharmaceutical |
| space is being used for storage. | | | | industry time and money, but they add efficiency |
| Labs are filled with supplies and some of these | | | | and higher standards to the laboratory environment. |
| supplies may be outdated (or haven't been used for | | | | If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. |
| years). By reducing over-ordering and implementing | | | | They'll thank you for it. If you have a blog or |
| effective supply ordering systems, 30% of the lab | | | | website, you can link to it or even post it to your |
| space could be used for more productive operations. | | | | own site (don't forget to mention as the original |
| This "5s" lean framework ensures that once the lab | | | | source. |
| workspace is organized that it stays organized and | | | | |