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Implementation of a Digital Continuous Improvement Structure in a Biopharmaceutical Plant

Abstract

The project aims to implement a digital structure for continuous improvement (CI) in a biotechnology manufacturing plant. The changes are focused on the daily tiered huddle boards, the creation, tracking, and storage of A3 initiatives, and the collection of impactful actions to share and recognize.The project was organized according to plan–do–check–act (PDCA) framework, following continuous digital implementation in the three main areas of focus: tiered huddle boards, A3 creations and management, and OpEx initiatives capture and sharing. This allowed us to adjust the digital system based on feedback from the voice of the customer survey. The resulting lean digital system in biomanufacturing is a connected huddle structure that improved people’s engagement in CI across seven process teams and three business units.The teams accomplished more than 80 A3 projects, driving cultural change, simplification, and capacity increase in the business. In addition, more than 100 shelf-driven CI actions achieved up to 200 kEUR in savings.The study focuses on 600 people workforce in a pharmaceutical company, grouped in homogeneous teams.The feedback gathered is based on voice of the customer sessions that are subjective and may affect interpretation.The suggestion for future developments is to integrate the CI digital system with the digitalmanufacturing systems for amore precise reading of the operations status.The incremental PDCA change has achieved targeted and customer-focused digital integration in biomanufacturing.The approach contributed as a change management strategy, with demonstrated social and cultural impact.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Industry / Process Technology
  • University of Limerick
  • Nord University

Date

10.02.2026

Year

2026

Published in

IEEE Engineering Management Review

ISSN

0360-8581

Page(s)

1 - 27

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository