Laboratories operate in an environment where efficiency, accuracy, and compliance are paramount. However, many labs struggle with fragmented workflows, outdated manual processes, and inefficient handoffs between different stages of operation. Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is emerging as a powerful tool to address these challenges. It provides a standardized, visual approach to defining and automating workflows.
The Power of Visual Workflow Mapping
One of the most common observations in laboratory settings is the need for process visualization. Scientists and lab professionals often sketch out workflows on whiteboards because diagrams offer an intuitive way to understand, optimize, and align processes. BPMN formalizes this intuitive practice into a structured, standardized language that enables labs to translate their workflows directly into executable processes.
BPMN in Action: From Whiteboard to Automation
Consider a lab that initially relied on Excel spreadsheets and manual data handling. By implementing BPMN, they were able to visualize their core workflow loops and identify inefficiencies. One example involved mapping out a NovaSeq library preparation process, allowing scientists to define each step and optimize end-to-end efficiency. Instead of relying solely on written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), BPMN provided a visual representation that became a living document for training and process refinement.
Key Benefits of BPMN in Laboratories
- Process Clarity & Communication
BPMN diagrams provide an unambiguous representation of workflows, making it easier for scientists, IT teams, and lab managers to collaborate. Unlike rigid software-defined workflows, BPMN allows labs to design processes that reflect real-world operations.
- Regulatory Compliance, Audit Readiness & Validation
Compliance in regulated environments requires clear documentation of processes and adherence to standard operating procedures. BPMN not only ensures each step aligns with compliance requirements upfront but also closely aligns with the concept of validation. Validation is performed on a process — not just a system — to demonstrate that consistent inputs will produce consistent outputs. For complex lab environments, BPMN helps labs define, visualize, and document distinct processes that require validation. These prospective workflows directly translate into retrospective audit trails, making it easier to demonstrate process adherence during inspections.
- Efficiency & Continuous Improvement
BPMN enables labs to optimize workflows by identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies. For instance, one lab using BPMN realized that a key decision point in their workflow caused unnecessary delays. By restructuring this step to include a monitored ‘holding step’, they reduced turnaround time by 20%, achieving faster results and better resource utilization.
- Interoperability & Scalability
Unlike proprietary workflow tools, BPMN is an open ISO standard, making it highly portable across different informatics platforms. Laboratories can implement BPMN within their LIMS or extend it beyond sample management to inventory tracking, compliance reporting, and even change management workflows. - Training & Onboarding Acceleration
Traditional SOPs can be cumbersome for new employees to absorb quickly. BPMN diagrams provide a clear visual guide to lab processes, reducing training time and improving process adherence.
A Shift in Perspective: Workflows Over Features
Labs often focus on whether a LIMS has specific modules like inventory management or sample tracking. BPMN shifts this perspective by allowing labs to define workflows that naturally integrate functions. For example, instead of asking if a LIMS has a freezer management module, labs can use BPMN to create a workflow for sample storage, tracking, and retrieval within their existing infrastructure. This approach enables labs to achieve process and data governance, such as automatic, scheduled workflows for data and sample destruction.
The Future of Laboratory Process Optimization
The adoption of BPMN in laboratory settings marks a transformative shift toward greater efficiency, cross-functional workflow integration, compliance, and adaptability. As labs continue to navigate increasing data complexity and regulatory demands, BPMN offers a scalable, interoperable framework to drive continuous improvement. By visualizing and automating workflows, laboratories can eliminate inefficiencies, enhance collaboration, and ultimately accelerate scientific discovery.
For labs looking to optimize their operations, BPMN provides a clear, adaptable, and directly executable roadmap to future-ready laboratory informatics. Reach out to the Labbit team to schedule a demo.
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