Laboratory Process Optimisation And Efficiency Improvement Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply lean and six sigma methodologies to identify waste and inefficiencies in laboratory processes.
• Analyse current laboratory workflows using process mapping and data analysis techniques.
• Evaluate the impact of proposed changes on quality, turnaround time, and resource utilisation.
• Design optimisation strategies that balance efficiency with compliance and quality standards.
• Implement improvement initiatives and monitor their effectiveness using key performance indicators.
• Demonstrate continuous improvement culture through root cause analysis and corrective action planning.

Target Audience

Laboratory managers, supervisors, technicians, and quality assurance personnel seeking to improve operational efficiency and drive continuous improvement in laboratory settings.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Hands-on practicals allow learners to apply process optimisation techniques in simulated or real laboratory environments. These sessions reinforce theoretical concepts through activities like process mapping, data collection, 5S implementation, and root cause analysis, ensuring learners can immediately apply skills in their workplaces.

Practical Activities

• Practical 1: Process Mapping and Waste Walk — Learners map a sample reception process, identify seven wastes, and perform a waste walk in a simulated lab setting. (8h)
• Practical 2: Data Collection and Control Charts — Learners collect turnaround time data, calculate statistics, and construct control charts to monitor process stability. (8h)
• Practical 3: Root Cause Analysis and FMEA — Using a case study of a common lab error, learners conduct root cause analysis and develop a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). (8h)
• Practical 4: Simulation of Workflow Optimisation — Learners participate in a simulation of a lab workflow, applying pull systems, batch size reduction, and workload balancing. (8h)
• Practical 5: Capstone Project – Optimisation Plan — Learners develop a comprehensive optimisation plan for a real or simulated lab process, including data analysis, recommendations, and implementation roadmap. (8h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.