Laboratory Checklist

Lean LAB Checklist

Optimizing Workplaces and Workflows

The successful implementation of ‘Lean Manufacturing’ in several fields

has inspired many businesses to adopt this model in laboratories as well.
Laboratories have different challenges compared to manufacturing environ-
ments; while most of the key principles of traditional Lean still apply, there
are many unique points to be adopted in laboratories.

The aim of this checklist is to give you an easy approach to help you develop your lab into
a Lean LAB. Answering the simple checklist questions will give you:
a) an overview of your current status and
b) where it might be worth taking actions to improve your lab.
For each section, we have added some helpful tips on how to improve that particular aspect
of your lab.

XPE205

Lean LAB — fields of improvement

1 Housekeeping 3
2 Value stream mapping 4
3 Workload 5
4 Laboratory workflow 6
5 Performance management 7
6 Equipment 8
7 Skills of laboratory personnel 9
8 Laboratory chemicals / auxiliary material 10
9 CIP activities 11
 Lean LAB
Lean LAB Checklist

Potential benefits of Lean LAB approach

• More defined, structured and controlled laboratory processes delivering more consistent and predict-
able laboratory performance
• Significantly increased productivity
• Reduced lead-times
• Reduced costs
• Reduced levels of WIP (Work In Process)
• Improved RFT (Right First Time)
• A detailed understanding of lab capacity and resourcing requirements
• Greater empowerment of laboratory personnel
• A culture of proactive performance management and continuous improvement
• Improved customer service levels

Work smarter not harder!

From our point of view, Lean LAB is primarily an internal organization task for process
optimization. The objective is to contribute towards improving the economic efficiency of an organiza-
tion. The operational changes that lead to a Lean LAB (which can be initiated in small steps, module-
by-module, at any time) are as follows: the standardized operation of several different devices, optimized
workplaces and work processes, modular device combinations, standardized network-compatible soft-
ware, and competent services.
Build a culture of continuous improvement to sustain business benefits, from the customer down to the
analyst level, drawing on new and innovative ideas, and sustaining its impact with mindset and behav-
ior transformations across the laboratory.
Below are some fields for improvements that we identify as important for the Lean LAB concept.

Success is measured by the ‘Magic Triangle’.

The three corners must be balanced.

Quality
Result
Q

Productivity Capacity

The
Magic Q: Quality
Triangle R: Resources
T: Time

R T
Costs Date
Expense Duration

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1 Housekeeping

Can your employees find and fetch tools quickly and easily? Yes No

Are the workstations clean, tidy and designed for purpose? Yes No

Are the general laboratory tools stored in an orderly manner and are Yes No
they easy to locate?

Do you audit these conditions regularly? Yes No

Tips for optimization

• Don’t accept untidiness anymore!
• Look on every shelf and in every drawer.
• Start a 5S program. Everything in its place!
• 5S also works on hard drives (IT).
• Is everything ‘in good order’? Nothing tidies itself,
regular auditing is a must!
• Assign a supervisor for each area.

Laboratory Checklist
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 2 Value Stream Mapping
Lean LAB Checklist

Are there target times for standard analyses? Yes No

Are the lead times measured? Yes No

Do you know the proportion of non-value adding but necessary steps Yes No
in your workflow?

Do you know the proportion of non-value adding and unnecessary Yes No

steps in your workflow?

Do you know the proportion of value added steps in your workflow? Yes No

Tips for optimization

• Calculate the standard times for standard analyses.
• Measure the lead time
• Determine what the value added steps are in terms of whether ‘an
external customer would pay for these steps in the workflow’.
• Employ assistants or external companies for auxiliary activities
(such as dishwashing, producing rinse solutions, etc.).

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3 Workload

Is the workload distributed evenly over the days/week? Yes No

Is there a separate procedure for urgent jobs? Yes No

Is your workload coinciding with the previous phase (production) Yes No

and are the deadlines in sync?

Are the agreed-upon deadlines being met? Yes No

Tips for optimization

• Set laboratory service hours, for example to at least 6 am to 6 pm.
• Synchronize your workload with the previous phase.
• Set up an option for urgent analysis.
• Assign someone to distribute the samples according to the current
capacity and urgency.
• Keep a workflow plan for the HPLC/GC.
• Optimize the set-up times (eg. for HPLC or GC).

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 4 Laboratory Workflow
Lean LAB Checklist

Is the analytical equipment arranged in a logical sequence? Yes No

Is the analytical equipment consistently arranged according to technology? Yes No

Are the distances between individual steps in the workflow short Yes No
and sensible?

Do the samples flow through the laboratory? Yes No

Tips for optimization

• Optimize the travel distance.
• Arrange your analytical equipment according to technology or in work
cells; it may be necessary to change the layout of the laboratory.
• When you build a new laboratory, take the unique opportunity to apply
Lean principles.
• Make sure that samples flow through the laboratory.

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5 Performance Management

Are the most important indicators such as OOS, RFT, etc. Yes No
regularly determined and used to optimize processes?

Are the indicators analyzed, visualized and included in a report? Yes No

Can you report on productivity without investing additional time Yes No

and effort?

Is the available laboratory capacity being managed effectively? Yes No

Tips for optimization

• Measure your KPIs.
• Lead time is a possible KPI.
• First pass rate is another.
• Visualize the KPIs.
• Discuss KPIs regularly with your staff.
• Ask your management for the ‘GEMBA WALK’.

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 6 Equipment
Lean LAB Checklist

Is your most important equipment in TOP condition? Yes No

Are the present equipment capabilities and technologies adequate Yes No

and regularly assessed?

Can calibration/qualification of the most important equipment be Yes No

carried out efficiently?

Are replacement parts or important components managed properly? Yes No

Does the ease of operation match the level of competency and Yes No
knowledge of the staff?

Tips for optimization

• Perform regular maintenance on your equipment. No unplanned
breakdowns!
• Make sure any necessary accessories are also stored on site.
• Automate existing systems whenever possible (such as an autosampler
and quicker data transfer).
• Reduce sources of contamination (such as water baths).
• Practice active obsolescence management.

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7 Skills of Laboratory Personnel

XPE205

Is there an overview stating which employees can perform which Yes No

activities at what level?

Is staff employment flexible enough? Yes No

Is enough time and money being spent on staff training? Yes No

Tips for optimization

• Keep skill matrices, not only stating yes/no, but including details
on skill levels of each employee.
• Determine how many cross-skills are necessary.
• Make enough time and money available.
• Make regular fitness checks, for example, for HPLC.
• Monitor unplanned absenteeism.

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 8 Laboratory Chemicals / Auxiliary Material
Lean LAB Checklist

Are laboratory chemicals and other materials re-ordered systematically, Yes No

immediately and without great expense?

Are the expiry dates of laboratory chemicals and reagents Yes No

systematically checked?

Are the inventories of reagents and consumables managed effectively? Yes No

Tips for optimization

• Use an appropriate laboratory labeling system.
• Manage your materials using the KANBAN method.
• Avoid excessive inventories.
• Reduce the number of articles to be used.

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9 CIP Activities

Are systematic methods such as value flow analyses, CIP/KAIZEN, etc., Yes No
used for process improvement?

Are staff sufficiently involved in these processes? Yes No

Are there dedicated staff who have been trained in systematic process Yes No
optimization (black/green belts or similar)?

Tips for optimization

• Train staff in root cause investigation methods.
• Motivate your employees to get involved with CIP/KAIZEN activities.
• Measure the progress.
• Be good to yourselves and talk about it!

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 Checklist Analysis and Feedback
Lean LAB Checklist

Count the number of questions you answered with a ‘Yes’ and add them up.

1−15 Yes x
Start a Lean project in your laboratory. Start with small steps. 5S is an effective way to
start. Assign a project leader who can dedicate approximately 20–50 % of their time to this
project. Analyses are also good to see where the greatest deficits lie.

16−28 Yes x
You are on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. You may want to reclarify
the question of resources or assign priorities differently.

29−35 Yes x
Congratulations! Your LAB is lean. Keep it up. Continuous improvement and follow-ups are
crucial. Share your knowledge with your colleagues. Your efforts should be visible in terms of
costs, quality and lead times.

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Helpful Lab Weighing Solutions, Training and Services
from METTLER TOLEDO

Data integrity, data recording and transfer

• Balance with remote function
• Paperless using external software
• Easy connectivity with a range of interfaces and data connections
• Data input/ouput accessories eg. barcode, readers and printers

Automation of repetitive workflows

• Automated liquid and solid dosing systems
• Semi-automated liquid dosing systems
• One Click™ weighing solutions
• Configurable infrared sensors and footswitches
• ErgoClip tare container holder for direct weighing

Harsh or difficult conditions

• Wall-mounted display
• Fast and stable weighing using unique grid weighing pan
up to six decimal places
• StaticDetect™ technology, AntiStatic kits and SmartPrep™
weighing funnels
• Optional draftshields, MinWeigh™ Door for accurate dispensing

Reliable results
• Accreditated calibration services
• Qualification, maintenance and repair services 24/7
• Global reach – local presence, specialists in more
than 140 countries

Skills improvement
• Extended training programs with eLearning
• Internal and external courses and seminars
• Free expertise eg. white papers, checklists, SOP templates
• On-demand webinars and videos
www.mt.com/balances
www.mt.com/lab-accessories
For more information about lean laboratories and lean production www.mt.com/service
with METTLER TOLEDO solutions visit: www.mt.com. www.mt.com/lab-eLearning
www.mt.com/webinars

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 Abbreviations
Lean LAB Checklist

5S/5A Workplace organization method, Japanese: Seiri

(sort), seiton (set in order), seiso (shine), seiketsu
(standardize), and shitsuke (sustain)

CAPEX CaPital EXpenditure

CIP   Continuous Improvement Process

CpK The process capability indices Cp and CpK are

parameters used in statistical evaluation of a process
in production technology

DLZ   Lead time, German: Durchlaufzeit

ERP   Enterprise Resource Planning, eg. SAP

GEMBA Japanese term meaning ‘the actual place’ or ‘the real

place’: the place where manufacturing takes place or
a service is provided

KPI   Key Performance Indicator

KVP/Kaizen  Continuous Improvement Process

LIMS   Laboratory Information and Management System

MES   Manufacturing Execution System

MUDA Japanese word for a pointless activity = waste

Obsolescence Ensures that discontinued components of products

Management are replaced promptly with suitable alternatives, or
otherwise are specifically stockpiled

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OEE   Overall Equipment Effectiveness

OLE   Overall Laboratory Effectiveness

OOS   Out of Specification

OPEX   Operational Excellence (a term of Lean Laboratory

and Production), OPerational EXpenditure (a term of
business economics)

POBOS  Pharma Operations Benchmarking

(McKinsey & Company)

Poka Yoke Prevention of unfortunate errors

RCI  Root Cause Investigation or Analysis

RFT Right First Time

Six Sigma A set of techniques and tools for process

improvement

SMED Single Minute Exchange of Die = set-up time

optimisation

TPM Total Productive Maintenance

TPS  Toyota Production System

WIP  Work in Process

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Benefit From Our Weighing Expertise

With decades of experience in laboratory weighing, METTLER TOLEDO can offer you a wide range of online
learning resources. Take advantage of our expertise to enhance your weighing know-how and make the
most of your balance. Check out the documentation on our web pages for a range of relevant materials.

Laboratory Expertise
This portal of laboratory knowledge offers a wealth
of free information and advice. Learn from experts
about a range of topics, such as:
• Calibrating your weighing devices
• Electrostatic effects on weighing
• USP Revisions
www.mt.com/lab-expertise

Expert Library
Our one-stop portal for knowledge resources includes:
• Educational white papers with tips and tricks
• Video and webinar modules with expert knowledge
• Information on GWP, the science-based weighing
standard
www.mt.com/library

E-learning Courses
Learn about balance accuracy and maintenance from
METTLER TOLEDO experts. As a starting point, we
recommend:
• External Influences and Cleaning
• Safe Weighing under Harsh Conditions
• Balance Routine Testing
www.mt.com/lab-elearning

www.mt.com/lab-lean
For more information

METTLER TOLEDO Group

Laboratory Weighing
Local contact: www.mt.com/contacts

Subject to technical changes

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