Lean Business Simulation
Run a business for a day. See where work gets stuck, and what Lean changes.
- Full day
- In person, Dublin
- Mixed roles welcome
- No prerequisites
About the Lean Business Simulation
Most people meet Lean through slides and someone else’s examples. On this day you run a simulated business with your colleagues, round by round. You see how decisions affect flow, quality, cost and the customer, then apply simple Lean principles and measure the difference.
You leave with a shared picture of what Lean looks like in practice and a clear view of whether, and how, to go further.
What you’ll experience
- Common operational problems, in a business you run yourselves
- Simple Lean principles applied over five rounds
- The effect of each change on flow, quality, cost and the customer
- A structured discussion of what it means for your own workplace
Key facts
- Format: one full day, in person
- Where: Dublin
- Times: 9am to 5pm
- Next date: Tue 10 November 2026
- Group: up to 16 people
- Prerequisites: none
Pay by card or by purchase order. Your €495 counts towards Lean Essentials (+€500) or the QQI Level 6 Practical Lean Business Application programme (+€1,755) if you enrol within 12 months.
Who this simulation is designed for
Lean is new to your organisation
You want a shared starting point before anyone commits to a programme.
You’re exploring before committing
You want to see Lean working before deciding on Lean Essentials or the QQI Level 6 programme.
You’re short on time
One day gives you the core ideas without weeks away from the job.
You prefer practical over theoretical
You learn best by doing it, measuring it and talking it through.
Suited to managers, supervisors and team leads in service, operations and support roles. Mixed groups work well, because the day builds a shared language across functions.
One day. One business. Five rounds.
Each round, your team runs the business, records the results and agrees what to change next. By the end of the day you have mapped the process, removed waste, set a target and written standard work for the new way of working.
Breaks at 10:30 and 14:55; lunch 12:35 to 13:15.
Welcome and roles
Introductions, your objectives, the client brief, game roles and a practice round.
Round 1: as it is
Run the business, review the dashboard, record the metrics and write a problem statement.
Map the process
Map the process with its process times, then plan the first two changes.
Round 2
Run the changes, compare takt time with process times, set a target and find the wastes.
Ideas and priorities
Silent sharing brainstorm and Impact/Ease prioritisation, then Round 3.
Workplace and customer
3S workplace organisation and the voice of the customer.
Round 4
Team meeting, further changes, Round 4 and the metrics.
Future state
Future-state map, standard work, then Round 5.
Close
The 8-step improvement method, course summary and individual assessment.
What you’ll leave with
A shared language
Common terms for flow, waste and improvement across roles and teams.
First-hand experience
You’ve improved a process yourself, not just heard about it.
Practical insight
A clearer view of where work gets stuck in your own organisation.
Next-step clarity
Know whether Lean Essentials, the QQI Level 6 programme, or a pause is the right move for your team.
This is as much about deciding what not to do as what to do next.
Why learn Lean by running a business?
You see it, not just hear it
Queues, rework and waiting show up on the table in front of you, and so does the effect of fixing them.
Everyone sees the same thing
People from different roles work from one set of facts, which makes it easier to agree what to change.
It’s safe to get it wrong
You can test an idea, measure it and try again, without risk to real customers.
How the Simulation fits the Lean journey
The Simulation is the starting point in the LeanTeams Lean Learning Pathway. From here, some teams build foundations with Lean Essentials online. Others go on to the QQI Level 6 Practical Lean Business Application programme, where the Simulation is part of the gateway.
Some take time to build internal alignment, and some decide Lean isn’t the priority right now. All are valid outcomes.
Your €495 counts towards either next step if you enrol within 12 months, and you won’t need to attend the Simulation again.
Upcoming Lean Business Simulation dates
Each date is also the Simulation day for the matching QQI Level 6 cohort, so standalone and programme participants learn together. Each day is capped at 16.
Tue 8 December 2026
9am to 5pm, Dublin. Also part of the Level 6 gateway for the January 2027 cohort.
Tue 16 March 2027
9am to 5pm, Dublin. Also part of the Level 6 gateway for the April 2027 cohort.
Tue 17 August 2027
9am to 5pm, Dublin. Also part of the Level 6 gateway for the September 2027 cohort.
Who runs the day
Steve Halpin
Founded LeanTeams and chairs the Dublin Lean Network. B.E. (UCD), Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Management Consultant.
Martina Murphy
Mentors SMEs on Lean Start, Lean for Micro and Lean tools programmes, from joinery and baking to brewing and childcare. MBA (UCD).
Nuala O’Hagan
25 years in financial services, pharmaceutical and biotech. Designed an award-winning improvement approach in a global financial institution. MSc (DCU).
Frequently asked questions
No. The day is designed for people new to Lean as well as those refreshing it.
Managers, supervisors and team leads from operations, service or support functions. Mixed roles work well, because the day builds a shared language across them.
€495 per person, VAT-exempt. You can pay by card when you book, or choose purchase order or invoice.
Yes. Choose purchase order or invoice on the booking form and give your accounts contact. If you don’t have a PO number yet, we’ll issue a sales order for approval.
Yes. The Simulation is part of the Level 6 gateway. If you’re applying for Level 6, your Simulation place is booked as part of your enrolment after your fit call, so you don’t need to book it here.
Yes. Your €495 counts towards either if you enrol within 12 months of the day: Lean Essentials is a further €500, and the QQI Level 6 programme a further €1,755. You won’t need to attend the Simulation again.
Please complete one booking form for each person. For a whole team, book a call about an in-company day.
In Dublin, 9am to 5pm. Venue details are in your joining email, sent a week before the day.
You’ll get a confirmation email straight away, joining details a week before, and a reminder the day before.
You can send a colleague in your place at any time, or move to another date free of charge up to 7 days before. The full terms are on the learner information page.
Yes. We run in-company Simulation days for your own team. Book a call to talk through numbers and timing.
Is this a sensible next step?
If you’re unsure where to start with Lean, this day is designed to give you clarity without overcommitting.
Booking terms, cancellation and next steps: learner information