Aligning on Quality Standards

Client: Chr. Hansen A/S*

In a department focused on chemical analysis, two distinct sub-teams faced a persistent conflict over documentation and quality standards.

One team adhered to stringent GMP-regulated methods requiring extensive documentation, while the other prioritized exploratory tasks with more flexibility. This divergence created ongoing tensions and made it challenging to establish shared workflows and quality expectations.

*Case related to workshop created during time of employment at Chr. Hansen. Included to illustrate potential topics and methodology.

Solution:

I designed a tailored workshop that mirrored the team’s technical environment and daily responsibilities. Using interactive exercises and relatable simulations, participants explored the impact of differing documentation styles and misaligned workflows on their analytical tasks.

The session began with a stress simulation reflecting their work environment, where teams balanced routine and exploratory tasks under pressure, emphasizing the need for clear agreements and structured workflows. Further exercises demonstrated how vague or overly detailed instructions could cause misinterpretations in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and how differing methods affected outcomes.

By the end of the workshop, the team collaboratively identified actionable steps to streamline practices, align on quality standards, and build mutual trust, fostering stronger collaboration and efficiency.

Outcome:

  • Greater mutual understanding of the balance between flexibility and compliance.
  • Alignment on shared quality standards, fostering cohesion and reducing conflict.
  • Practical strategies to improve collaboration and ensure consistent results.
  • Renewed trust and engagement, enabling the team to work more effectively together.

 

Testimonial: