We guide your teams through Lean Transformation to establish a high-performing, data-driven Lean Lab.
We work alongside your teams to deliver sustainable improvements through data and collaboration, shaping a Lean lab built for long-term success.
CLS supports organisations in improving quality performance, operational productivity, and process efficiency across laboratory and quality functions. Lean was born in the principles of embedding a quality culture in hearts and minds, which is why CLS use a structured Lean Transformation for laboratories methodology to help clients identify process inefficiencies, compliance risks, workflow bottlenecks, and capacity constraints across QC laboratories, QA workflows, and wider Quality Processes.
Our approach combines data-driven assessments with direct engagement across quality, operational, and technical teams to build a detailed understanding of current-state processes and opportunities for improvement. Working collaboratively with stakeholders, CLS designs and implements practical solutions that improve process flow, reduce non-value-added activities, strengthen operational visibility, and support more efficient and compliant ways of working.
CLS supports the transformation of core QC laboratory operations including analytical workflows, sample management, scheduling, laboratory support activities, and testing processes, while also improving interconnected QA and Quality Systems workflows such as QA review, product release, deviation management, CAPA, change control, complaint handling, periodic reviews, internal audits, and quality assessments.
By improving alignment between laboratory, quality functions and business functions (operations, supply chain, etc), organisations can reduce delays, improve consistency, optimise resource utilisation, and strengthen overall operational performance.
Throughout implementation, CLS provides the governance, oversight, and operational support required to sustain improvements and embed Lean principles into day-to-day activities. This helps organisations improve turnaround times, increase process reliability, strengthen compliance, and create greater operational agility across quality functions. The outcome is a more efficient and connected laboratory and quality operation that delivers compliant, reliable, and consistent results while creating the capacity for teams to focus on continuous improvement, operational excellence, and future growth.
Strategic funding plan for the lean Journey
Lean lab assessment
Lean Transformation for laboratories design workshop
Lean Lab Transformation implementation
Continuous improvement
Certain signs often indicate when a laboratory would benefit from a Lean approach.
High staff turnover driven by workload pressure and sustained stress levels, recurring deviations, inconsistent turnaround times, and constant firefighting are all indicators that processes are not flowing as intended. Over time, this impacts quality, efficiency and team wellbeing.
Lean transformation starts with understanding how work flows in your laboratory: analysing workload demand, identifying bottlenecks, and reviewing how variability affects performance. By working collaboratively with laboratory teams and process owners, improvements are developed that fit the real way work is done, rather than forcing rigid procedures that don’t match daily practice.
CLS supports laboratories through this process, from demand and capacity analysis to co-creating sustainable workflow changes. The aim is to reduce waste, balance workloads, make better use of existing resources, and embed more consistent, efficient ways of working.
Detailed understanding of current workload drivers (including KPIs and baselines), and volatility leading to insights into capacity constraints and value opportunities.
Determination of Process Maturity and Roadmap for Solution Design and Implementation.
Collaborative design of optimum work practices, process flows, master data standards (for digitalisation), test strategies and organisational structure.
Translating strategic goals into a Lean Transformation Program
Implementation of scheduling and planning system to enhance productivity and delivery metrics.
Configuration and deployment of relevant automated and integrated digital tools for digitisation of Lean organisation, process and strategy.
Support a sustainable Continuous Improvement process, that sets a foundation for future digitisation, including visualisation of all batch-related activity, e.g. via a QC Control Tower integrated with internal systems.
Move to demand-driven scheduling, based on true business priority.