Audit the Efficiency of a Laboratory with 8 Wastes Identification Checklist

The 8 Wastes Identification Checklist is a lean laboratory tool which allows a manager to measure the efficiency of their laboratory. This template can be implemented as part of a continuous improvement process (CIP) to measure and track improvements.

Increasing efficiency, by eliminating waste in laboratory workflows, is an integral part of lean laboratory. Lean management principles describe 8 types of waste that exist in any business - independent of the industry - which do not add any value for their customers.

The 8 Wastes Identification Checklist is a template to support a laboratory manager to carry out an effficiency audit of their laboratory Peforming a regular audit enables measurement and tracking of improvements. This checklist provides a simple way to measure the current status for any sized lab, and can be tailored to individual requirements, as necessary.

Previously "The Typical 8 wastes in the Laboratory" guide introduced an explanation of these 8 wastes, with typical laboratory examples, and recommendations for how to reduce or eliminate waste in these situations. Now, this 8 wastes identification checklist takes it one step further, by providing a template to measure the efficiency of a specific laboratory based on the occurrence of waste in the workflows.

This checklist is organized into 8 sections, based on the 8 wastes from Lean principles. It consists of a series of critieria with recommended target values that should be met. Based on the entries recorded during the audit, a total score is calculated, with a maximum of 33. Any score below 20 shows significant potential for improvement.

To perform an efficiency audit, in order to measure and improve the efficiency of a laboratory, download the free 8 wastes identification checklist now.