Advanced Lab Management

Lab Errors and Root Cause Analysis

Course overview
Mistakes happen—but how your lab responds matters. This course provides a framework for addressing lab errors through root cause analysis, covering human, technical, and process-based issues. Lab managers will learn practical tools to identify the source of problems, correct them, and implement lasting improvements.
  • Area of Study

    Advanced Lab Management

  • Course Duration

    1 hour

  • CEUs

    0.2

    This course is part of the Advanced Lab Management Certificate. Looking to enroll in the full certificate?
    Advanced Lab Management Certificate | Lab Manager Academy

    What is this course about?

    Lab errors are inevitable, but preventable. This course helps lab managers move away from blame and instead build a culture of accountability, trust, and learning. You’ll explore different types of errors—human, process, and technical—and apply practical tools like the 5 Whys, cause mapping, and fishbone diagrams to uncover and address the root causes. You’ll also learn how to approach error investigation in a way that strengthens your lab culture, safeguards quality, and prevents future incidents.

    What are the benefits of this course?

    • Strengthen lab safety: Identify and address recurring issues before they escalate.
    • Respond with confidence: Lead clear, non-punitive error investigations that promote learning.
    • Fix problems at the source: Use root cause analysis tools to uncover what’s really going wrong.
    • Support continuous improvement: Turn errors into opportunities for long-term growth.
    • Build trust and accountability: Create a culture where staff feel safe reporting and learning from mistakes.

    What are the learning outcomes of this course?

    By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to:

    • Explain the different types of errors that can occur in a lab
    • Distinguish between symptoms and root causes
    • Apply root cause analysis tools such as the 5 Whys, cause mapping, and fishbone diagrams
    • Lead error investigations that support psychological safety
    • Recognize and overcome bias during problem-solving
    • Implement actions that reduce risk and improve lab performance

    Meet The Instructor

    Scott Hanton

    PhD

    Years of Experience
    Scott Hanton is the editorial director at Lab Manager and the leader of the Lab Manager Academy. He spent 30 years working in industrial chemistry labs, with 20 years as a lab manager. He had roles of general manager, laboratory operations manager and chief scientist for Intertek Allentown. Previously, he had roles of research scientist, laboratory supervisor, and section manager at Air Products & Chemicals. Through these different roles, Scott developed expertise in polymer mass spectrometry, analytical characterization, people leadership, and business management. He earned a BS in Chemistry from Michigan State University and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott is an active member of ACS, ASMS, and ALMA.
    Lab Manager Academy is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.