Course Overview

Healthcare organisations are under constant pressure to improve quality, enhance patient experiences, reduce costs, and optimise operational performance. Achieving these objectives requires a structured approach to identifying inefficiencies, eliminating waste, reducing variation, and creating sustainable improvements across clinical and administrative processes.

The Lean Sigma Performance Improvement in Healthcare programme by TransforMentors Academy equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and methodologies needed to drive measurable performance improvements within healthcare environments. Combining the principles of Lean and Six Sigma, the course explores process optimisation, problem-solving techniques, data-driven decision-making, quality improvement, and operational excellence.

Through practical exercises, healthcare-focused case studies, and real-world applications, participants will learn how to analyse processes, identify root causes of inefficiencies, implement improvement initiatives, and sustain results that enhance patient care, operational efficiency, and organisational performance.

Agenda

Day — 1 Introduction to Lean Sigma in Healthcare

• Continuous Improvement Principles in Healthcare Organisations
• Fundamentals of Lean and Six Sigma Methodologies
• Importance of Lean Sigma in Enhancing Healthcare Performance and Process Efficiency
• Introduction to the DMAIC Framework:
  • Define
  • Measure
  • Analyse
  • Improve
  • Control
• Key Lean Sigma Metrics and Performance Measures
• Identifying Waste, Variation, and Improvement Opportunities in Healthcare Processes
• Real-World Applications and Success Stories of Lean Sigma in Healthcare

Day — 2 Defining the Problem and the Project

• Identifying and Selecting High-Impact Improvement Projects in Healthcare
• Project Definition Tools and Techniques:
  • SWOT Analysis
  • SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers)
  • A3 Problem-Solving Matrix
• Applying the Hoshin Kanri 7-Step Strategic Planning Process
• Defining Project Scope, Objectives, and Success Criteria
• Establishing Measurable Goals Aligned with Organisational Priorities
• Building Effective Improvement Teams and Defining Roles and Responsibilities
• Force Field Analysis for Assessing Drivers, Barriers, and Resistance to Change
• Developing Project Charters and Improvement Plans
• Practical Exercise: Defining a Healthcare Improvement Project Using Lean Sigma Planning Tools

Day — 3 Performance Measurement and Analysis

• Understanding the Voice of the Customer (VOC) and Its Role in Healthcare Improvement
• Root Cause Analysis Techniques for Identifying Process Inefficiencies and Performance Gaps
• Process Mapping Methods and Workflow Analysis Techniques
• Process Capability Measurement and Key Performance Indicators:
  • Process Capability (Cp)
  • Process Capability Index (Cpk)
  • Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO)
• Data Visualisation Tools for Performance Analysis:
  • Pareto Charts
  • Scatter Plots
  • Pie Charts
  • Run Charts
• Identifying Critical Factors Influencing Process Performance
• Techniques for Prioritising Improvement Opportunities Based on Impact and Risk
• Data-Driven Decision-Making for Healthcare Process Improvement
• Practical Exercise: Analysing Healthcare Process Performance Using Lean Sigma Measurement and Visualisation Tools

Day — 4 Process Improvement and Control Strategies

• Creative Problem-Solving and Solution Development Tools:
  • Brainstorming Techniques
  • Pugh Matrix for Solution Evaluation and Selection
• Developing Test Plans to Validate and Optimise Improvement Solutions
• Process Improvement Methodologies and Techniques:
  • 5S Workplace Organisation
  • Kaizen Continuous Improvement Events
• Implementing and Sustaining Process Improvements in Healthcare
• Developing Monitoring and Control Plans for Long-Term Performance Management
• Role of Audits, Reviews, and Post-Implementation Assessments in Sustaining Improvements
• Evaluating Improvement Outcomes and Benefits:
  • Quality Improvements
  • Efficiency Gains
  • Cost Reduction
  • Patient Experience Enhancements
• Measuring and Reporting Improvement Results Using Performance Indicators
• Practical Exercise: Designing a Control Plan and Evaluating the Impact of a Healthcare Process Improvement Initiative

Day — 5 Building a Lean and Agile Organisation

• Principles of Lean and Agile Methodologies in Healthcare
• Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence
• Understanding the Differences Between Process Mapping and Value Stream Mapping
• Value Stream Mapping Methodology:
  • Key Steps in Value Stream Mapping
  • Rules and Best Practices for Value Stream Analysis
• Identifying and Analysing Waste, Constraints, Bottlenecks, and Process Delays
• Developing Value Stream Improvement Plans to Enhance Healthcare Performance
• Applying Lean and Agile Principles to Improve Patient Care and Operational Efficiency
• Leadership Behaviours That Support Lean Thinking and Agile Transformation
• Real-World Examples of Lean and Agile Culture, Leadership, and Performance Improvement in Healthcare Organisations
• Practical Exercise: Developing a Value Stream Improvement Plan for a Healthcare Process

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles of Lean Sigma and their application in healthcare process improvement
• Apply the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) methodology to healthcare improvement projects
• Define improvement opportunities and project objectives using tools such as SWOT Analysis, SIPOC Diagrams, and A3 Problem-Solving Matrices
• Apply strategic planning and project management principles to healthcare performance improvement initiatives
• Incorporate the Voice of the Customer (VOC) into process improvement efforts to align outcomes with patient and stakeholder expectations
• Conduct root cause analysis to identify and address underlying causes of inefficiencies and performance gaps
• Develop process maps and value stream maps to visualise workflows and identify waste
• Analyse process performance using statistical and data-driven methods to prioritise improvement opportunities
• Apply creative problem-solving tools and improvement techniques to design and implement effective solutions
• Evaluate the effectiveness of improvement initiatives using performance metrics and measurement systems
• Develop control plans to sustain improvements and support continuous performance enhancement
• Promote a Lean, Agile, and improvement-focused culture by influencing organisational behaviours and employee engagement

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals responsible for improving healthcare performance, quality, and operational efficiency, including:

• Healthcare Operations Managers
• Quality Improvement and Quality Management Professionals
• Lean, Six Sigma, and Process Improvement Specialists
• Clinical and Administrative Team Leaders
• Performance Improvement and Efficiency Coordinators
• Healthcare Project Managers and Transformation Leaders
• Patient Experience and Service Improvement Professionals
• Healthcare Supervisors and Department Managers
• Professionals Involved in Organisational Excellence and Continuous Improvement Initiatives
• Individuals Preparing for Leadership Roles in Healthcare Performance Improvement and Project Management