6.0 Contact hours.  In this course, you will explore Lean tools and the fundamentals of work rules grounded in the principles of the Toyota Production System. We will review the 14 principles outlined by Jeff Liker, Ph.D., in The Toyota Way, with a focus on eight key operational principles that drive efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance process reliability. These principles include:

1. Create a continuous process flow – Design workflows that minimize delays, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure smooth transitions between process steps.

2. Use the “Pull System” – Implement demand-driven processes to prevent overproduction and optimize inventory management.

3. Level out the workload – Balance workloads to prevent bottlenecks, ensuring consistent productivity without overburdening employees.

4. Build a culture to stop and fix problems – Empower employees to identify and resolve issues at the source, preventing defects from progressing downstream.

5. Standardization of tasks – Establish clear, repeatable procedures to ensure consistency, improve efficiency, and reduce variability in processes.

6. Use visual controls – Implement tools like Kanban boards, color-coded systems, and process indicators to improve transparency and prevent errors.

7. Go and See (Genchi Genbutsu) – Encourage leaders and employees to observe processes firsthand, gaining a deeper understanding of inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

8. Decide carefully by consensus, implement rapidly – Use data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and structured problem-solving to drive meaningful and swift improvements.

You will also learn how to apply these principles within a continuous improvement framework, specifically tailored to optimize laboratory workflows. By integrating Lean methodologies, you will develop the ability to identify inefficiencies, streamline operations, and create a sustainable culture of quality and efficiency within the laboratory environment.For a full description and to learn more: https://laboratorylearningsolutions.com/courses/lean-operational-strategy-101-understanding-operational-principles/