Higher education institutions currently operate in an environment of permanent volatility, marked by a significant decline in funding, a projected "demographic cliff", and intensifying global competition. Systemic bottlenecks and overly complex bureaucratic processes have inflated administrative costs, while making navigation burdensome for both staff and students. To thrive, institutions must rethink their operational systems—transitioning from legacy bureaucracies to agile, AI enabled, student-centric models that systematically eliminate waste and maximize value delivery to all stakeholders.

This workshop provides the strategic framework and practical Lean tools necessary to lead this institutional transformation and ensure long-term sustainability. It provides tools for enhancing performance and fostering innovation by systematically identifying and eliminating waste, and maximizing the value that institutions deliver to stakeholders: staff, students, clients, and partners. At its core, lean management lies in its focus on evaluating and refining processes using Lean tools to achieve the best possible outcomes, ensuring we learn and improve continuously, while aligning with the institution’s mission and strategic goals.

This two-day workshop provides hands-on application of Lean management tailored specifically for higher education institutions. Participants will move beyond lean concepts to practical applications, and learning through case studies and team projects how to identify systemic waste and optimize processes that directly affect the student and staff experience.