Foundations of Quality Management
$449
Leads to certification
Lab Quality

Foundations of Quality Management

Quality is the foundation of any successful lab. Ensuring that processes, procedures, and results meet the highest standards is essential for lab managers. In the Foundations of Quality Management stream, lab managers will develop a deep understanding of quality management principles, analytics, and customer satisfaction. This stream covers the fundamentals of quality management, quality management systems, analytics and improvement tools, developing a culture of quality, and customer satisfaction. Each course is designed to equip lab leaders with the essential skills to lead with quality at the forefront, driving continuous improvement and stakeholder satisfaction.

What is this stream credential about?

  • Quality Management: This course introduces the core principles of quality management, providing a solid foundation for aspiring and experienced lab managers alike. Learners will explore key concepts and tools that support effective quality leadership.

  • Quality Management Systems (QMS): In this course, participants will delve into the structure of a quality management system, learning how to implement and optimize a QMS tailored to their lab's needs. Topics include regulatory compliance, system evaluation, and process improvement.

  • Analytics and Improvement: This course explores the tools and strategies used to analyze lab processes and drive continual improvement. Participants will gain insights into methodologies like PDCA, Six Sigma, and corrective/preventive action plans (CAPA).

  • Customer and Stakeholder Satisfaction: Understanding and exceeding customer and stakeholder expectations is critical to long-term success. This course teaches lab managers how to gather feedback, address complaints, and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.

  • Culture of Quality: Building a culture that prioritizes quality across every aspect of lab operations is the key to success. This course provides actionable strategies for lab managers to foster a quality-driven environment.

Who is this stream credential for?

This stream is ideal for lab leaders who want to enhance their knowledge of quality management principles and strategies. Whether you're a new or experienced lab manager, the Foundations of Quality Management stream provides essential training for those looking to elevate their lab’s performance and maintain high standards of quality and customer satisfaction.

What are the benefits of this stream credential?

By completing the Foundations of Quality Management stream, participants will gain:

  • A comprehensive understanding of quality management systems and principles

  • Tools and methodologies for analyzing and improving lab processes

  • Strategies for enhancing customer and stakeholder satisfaction

  • Insights into fostering a quality-centric culture within their lab

What do I get out of completing this stream credential?

Upon completion, participants receive a valuable credential from Lab Manager Academy and IACET CEUs, demonstrating a commitment to the highest educational standards. As an IACET Accredited Provider, Lab Manager Academy offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.

How long do the courses take to complete?

Each course within the stream is designed to be completed in approximately one hour. The entire Foundations of Quality Management stream credential should take approximately five hours to complete, providing a comprehensive yet time-efficient learning experience.

What is the format of the courses?

Lab Manager Academy offers a fully online learning experience, providing flexibility to complete courses at your convenience. The user-friendly interface ensures seamless navigation through the content, allowing you to focus on learning and applying new skills to your lab environment.

Who is the instructor?

Dan Zuccarello leads the Foundations of Quality Management stream. Dan is a seasoned expert with decades of experience in consulting on quality management, improvement strategies, and laboratory operations. As a consultant for RBF Consulting Group LLC, Dan brings a wealth of knowledge in quality systems, analytics, and customer satisfaction, offering practical insights to help lab managers succeed in quality leadership.

What is Lab Manager Academy?

Lab Manager Academy provides a broad range of courses designed for lab managers and safety managers, offering essential knowledge on leadership, safety, and quality management. Whether you're seeking individual courses, stream credentials, or a full certificate program, Lab Manager Academy’s online curriculum is tailored to empower lab professionals at every level. As an IACET Accredited Provider, Lab Manager Academy ensures that its learning events comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard, guaranteeing excellence in education.

Ready to elevate your lab’s quality management practices?

Enroll today in Lab Manager Academy’s Foundations of Quality Management stream credential and gain the skills you need to lead your lab to excellence.

Curriculum content

  •
    Instructor: Dan Zuccarello Are you ready to transform your lab into a beacon of quality excellence? Welcome to the Culture of Quality course, where you'll master the principles needed to build, sustain, and influence a high-performing quality culture in your laboratory. Led by industry expert Dan Zuccarello, this comprehensive course equips lab managers with the essential knowledge and tools to shape a robust culture of quality, ensuring that both processes and people thrive. What is this course about? In this in-depth course, you will explore the foundations of a quality culture and learn how to integrate quality principles into the fabric of your laboratory. From understanding key definitions and principles to managing the delicate balance between formal and informal quality practices, this course provides the blueprint for lab managers looking to elevate their lab's performance and create lasting value. Discover actionable strategies for establishing expectations, managing staff perceptions, and using both quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate quality impact. What are the benefits of this course? Define a Culture of Quality: Learn how to clearly define a culture of quality and differentiate it from standard quality assurance practices. Understand the Role of Leadership: Explore the critical role lab managers play in cultivating and maintaining quality culture. Create Effective Quality Messaging: Develop strategies to align your team with shared quality values using targeted messaging and storytelling. Balance Formal and Informal Quality Measures: Gain insights into balancing regulatory requirements with informal quality approaches that still deliver excellence. Implement Sustainable Quality Practices: Establish long-lasting practices that go beyond compliance to foster continuous improvement. What are the learning outcomes of this course? By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to: Explain the concept of a culture of quality Recognize that quality is not solely defined as compliance Identify ways to control processes, procedures, materials, and staff actions to produce consistent results Describe how quality is based on an ever-expanding series of trends and regulations List specific actions that lab leaders can take to establish and sustain a culture of quality Ready to transform your lab into a powerhouse of quality excellence? Enroll today and take the first step towards building a resilient and impactful culture of quality that will set your team and your lab up for long-term success.

    • Lesson Culture of Quality

  • Instructor: Dan Zuccarello Are you prepared to step into the role of a quality leader? Welcome to the Quality Management course, where you’ll learn to navigate the transition from bench scientist to a successful quality manager with confidence and clarity. Led by industry expert Dan Zuccarello, this course empowers aspiring and new managers to build and sustain robust quality management systems that support the highest standards in lab performance and compliance. Whether you're a new leader or an experienced manager, this course provides the essential tools to thrive in a quality management role. What is this course about? This comprehensive course introduces participants to the core principles of quality management and the critical skills needed to become an effective quality leader. You’ll explore the dynamics of transitioning into management, balancing formal and informal responsibilities, setting up a quality unit, and leading your team through the complexities of regulatory and stakeholder demands. Designed specifically for lab professionals stepping into management roles, this course serves as a foundation to help you master the art and science of quality leadership. What are the benefits of this course? Understand Key Management Responsibilities: Learn how to navigate the transition from bench scientist to quality manager and understand the shift in responsibilities that comes with the role. Establish a Quality Management System: Build a comprehensive quality framework to ensure compliance, consistency, and continuous improvement in your lab operations. Manage Stakeholder Expectations: Gain insights into managing expectations and building trust with both internal and external stakeholders. Drive Decision-Making with Data: Develop strategies for data-driven decision-making that align with the lab’s quality goals and improve overall efficiency. Develop Leadership Skills: Hone your ability to lead, influence, and support your team while fostering a strong culture of quality within your lab. What are the learning outcomes of this course? By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to: Describe relationship changes that occur when moving from the bench to a management role Identify the core responsibilities of the quality unit Recognize how managers must integrate quality management into their operations to succeed List the seven key principles needed in quality management that are critical for long-term success Explain how leadership is a skill to be learned, practiced, and applied daily Ready to become a catalyst for quality in your lab? Enroll today and equip yourself with the tools and strategies needed to lead your team through the complexities of quality management and compliance with confidence and ease.

  • Instructor: Dan Zuccarello Are you ready to implement a quality management system that meets the unique needs of your lab? Welcome to the Quality Management System course, where you’ll learn the foundational elements and advanced strategies to build an effective QMS tailored for your laboratory environment. Led by industry expert Dan Zuccarello, this comprehensive course equips lab managers with the knowledge and skills to implement, evaluate, and optimize a QMS that drives consistent results, compliance, and continuous improvement. What is this course about? This in-depth course delves into the key principles, benefits, and best practices of quality management systems for laboratory environments. You’ll explore the historical evolution of QMS, core elements required for success, and strategies for evaluating and implementing both traditional and electronic systems. The course also addresses critical considerations for selecting vendors, maintaining compliance, and navigating complex change management processes. By the end of this course, you’ll have a clear roadmap for building or enhancing a QMS that strengthens your lab’s quality culture. What are the benefits of this course? Establish a Robust QMS Framework: Learn to define and build a quality management system that addresses all key elements of quality, from document control to compliance. Evaluate and Select the Right QMS: Gain insights into the considerations for evaluating QMS options and choosing the right system for your lab’s unique needs. Implement Electronic QMS Solutions: Understand the benefits and challenges of transitioning to an electronic QMS, including integration with existing lab systems. Drive Quality through Compliance and Efficiency: Learn strategies for ensuring regulatory compliance and improving operational efficiency across all lab processes. Develop a Change Management Plan: Create a robust change management plan to support your team during the transition to a new system and beyond. What are the learning outcomes of this course? By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to: List the key elements of a QMS, including quality management, document management, training, audit, non-conformance management, and compliance Describe the benefits and challenges of implementing an electronic QMS versus a traditional paper-based system Identify considerations when evaluating and selecting a new QMS for the lab Explain critical factors for successful QMS implementation and integration Develop a change management plan to support the transition to a new system and ensure long-term success Ready to elevate your lab’s quality program?   Enroll today and gain the skills needed to implement and sustain a quality management system that drives efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement for your lab.

  • Instructor: Dan Zuccarello Are you looking to master the art of continuous improvement? Welcome to the Analytics and Improvement course, where you’ll gain the tools and insights to drive effective improvements in your laboratory. Led by industry expert Dan Zuccarello, this course will equip lab managers with the analytical skills and improvement strategies necessary to lead data-driven projects and make impactful changes that elevate lab performance. What is this course about? This course provides a deep dive into the principles of continual process improvement, analytical tools, and change management. You’ll explore key methodologies such as PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act), Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM), alongside advanced tools like Design of Experiments (DOE), regression testing, and control charts. Designed specifically for lab leaders looking to refine their improvement skills, the course also covers how to effectively implement corrective actions, develop preventive measures, and manage risk to build a resilient improvement culture. What are the benefits of this course? Master Continual Improvement Techniques: Understand core methodologies such as PDCA, Kaizen, and Six Sigma, and learn when to apply each to achieve incremental and breakthrough improvements. Build Analytical Expertise: Explore powerful tools like hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and control charts to measure success and identify improvement opportunities. Develop an Effective CAPA Strategy: Implement Corrective Actions and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to address issues, prevent recurrence, and sustain improvements. Manage Change with Confidence: Gain practical strategies for leading change projects, overcoming resistance, and driving sustained improvements across the lab. Risk Management and Mitigation: Learn to identify, assess, and mitigate risks using proven strategies that protect the lab and ensure project success. What are the learning outcomes of this course? By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to: List effective continual improvement tools, including PDCA, Kaizen, and Six Sigma Explain the key elements of change management and apply them in improvement projects Identify common analysis tools used in improvement projects, such as regression testing and DOE Describe how a Corrective Action and Preventive Measures (CAPM) process works Recognize the key elements of risk management and integrate them into lab operations Identify important improvement tracking tools, including impact assessments and change control processes Ready to transform your lab’s performance?   Enroll today and start leveraging data and continuous improvement tools to lead successful change projects that drive your lab forward.

  • Instructor: Dan Zuccarello Are you ready to enhance your lab’s reputation by delivering superior satisfaction to customers and stakeholders? Welcome to the Customer and Stakeholder Satisfaction course, where you’ll master the strategies needed to understand and exceed the expectations of those who interact with your lab. Led by industry expert Dan Zuccarello, this course equips lab managers with the knowledge and tools to build strong stakeholder relationships, address feedback constructively, and drive a customer-centric culture in your organization. What is this course about? This course provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing customer and stakeholder satisfaction in a laboratory setting. You’ll delve into what it means to be truly customer-focused, how to analyze feedback, and ways to turn challenging interactions into opportunities for improvement. Covering everything from identifying stakeholders to creating a structured process for managing complaints, this course is designed for lab managers who want to strengthen relationships and ensure long-term success for their lab. What are the benefits of this course? Identify Key Stakeholders: Understand the different types of stakeholders in your lab and how their expectations influence lab performance and success. Enhance Customer Satisfaction: Learn proven strategies for assessing and improving customer satisfaction, from gathering feedback to implementing changes based on customer needs. Analyze Feedback Effectively: Develop your ability to analyze customer feedback and uncover actionable insights that lead to continuous improvement. Turn Complaints into Opportunities: Implement a structured approach to handle customer complaints, resolve issues, and turn potentially negative situations into positive outcomes. Foster a Customer-Centric Culture: Gain insights into building a lab culture that prioritizes customer satisfaction and promotes positive stakeholder relationships. What are the learning outcomes of this course? By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to: Define who your key customers and stakeholders are and describe how their expectations impact lab operations Explain the importance of customer satisfaction and how it can be measured Identify key drivers for satisfaction and create strategies to address areas of concern Develop a structured process for handling customer complaints, including how to document, resolve, and learn from these situations Implement strategies to drive a customer-centric culture within the lab that aligns with both stakeholder expectations and organizational goals Ready to build stronger relationships and drive customer satisfaction?   Enroll today to gain the insights and tools you need to deliver exceptional experiences to every stakeholder who interacts with your lab.