Lean & Digital Innovation
Lifelong Learning Course
Duration: 84 hours (one day every two weeks)
Dates: 25/9/2026 – 5/3/2027
Location: University Complex in Viale Margherita, 87 – Vicenza
Lesson dates (9 a.m.–6 p.m.): see the information sheet
Enrolment fee: 2.900,00 euro (VAT exempt)
Scientific Coordinator: Stefano Biazzo
Didactic coordinator: Federica Lago
Goals
The distinctive feature of the course is to integrate the classic perspective of Lean optimization with the transformative potential of digitalization and artificial intelligence.
The methodologies of Lean Management in the Office environment, combined with Process Mining, Intelligent Process Automation (IPA), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and the new frontier of Agentic Automation, allow participants to face not only continuous (incremental) improvement, but also radical workflow innovation. The course is centered on an action-oriented training idea: conceptual insights are constantly integrated with software labs and real-life case analysis to train professionals capable of orchestrating hybrid (human-machine) processes.
Recipients
The course is aimed at function specialists, consultants, process analysts and managers who wish to become Digital Lean Agents by acquiring the skills necessary to manage continuous improvement and intelligent automation initiatives in various business areas: administration, HR, supply chain, research and development, technical office, customer service and information systems.
Syllabus:
MODULE 1: Lean Management: organizations with "high speed of improvement" (4 hours)
This introductory module is dedicated to exploring the fundamental organizational skills that characterize lean organizations and that outline a well-defined "Lean culture".
MODULE 2: Visual tools and methods to improve processes in offices (20 hours)
The module is dedicated to the presentation of tools and methods to map, analyze and improve processes in offices: Value Stream Mapping, Swim Lane/Makigami, Skill Matrix, Job Mapping, Work Sampling, Visual Management, Change Management techniques
MODULE 3: Problem solving techniques and improvement management with the A3 method (16 hours)
The A3 method for the management of problems and the process of improvement and learning is deepened:
- Four Types of Problems
- The A3 methodology
- Root cause analysis tools
- Selecting Countermeasures
MODULE 4: Lean Office Simulation (12 hours)
Lean Office Simulation is an experiential training that offers participants the opportunity to experiment with the use of some important business improvement tools and to verify, through direct practice, the power of applying the principles of Lean Thinking in the redesign of an office process (transactional)
MODULE 5: Digital Process Mapping & Process Mining (12 hours)
This module marks the transition from analog analysis (post-it notes and VSM) to digital modeling. You will learn how to standardize flows so that they are "readable" by machines and how to use real data to diagnose invisible inefficiencies.
- BPMN 2.0 (Business Process Model and Notation): the international standard grammar for designing automation-ready processes. Differences between descriptive and prescriptive mapping.
- From VSM to Digital Twin: how to translate the Value Stream Map into a simulable digital model.
- Process Mining: use of software to analyze the "logs" of information systems (ERP/CRM) and automatically reconstruct the real process (not the imagined one), identifying bottlenecks, rework and deviations from the standard (compliance).
- How to Manage Digital Process Innovation: Microinterventions vs End-to-End Automation
MODULE 6: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) & Intelligent Process Automation (12 hours)
The module is focused on automating repetitive and rule-based tasks. It explores how to free people from low-value-added tasks by integrating software robots into the processes designed in the previous module.
- RPA Fundamentals: Difference Between Attended (the virtual assistant on the desktop) and unattended (server-side robots) and mixed automation.
- "Robotizability" criteria: how to select the processes suitable for RPA using the complexity/volume matrix (e.g. invoice reconciliation, data entry, reporting).
- Intelligent Process Automation (IPA): extend RPA with cognitive services (e.g. intelligent OCR to read unstructured documents via machine learning) to manage semi-structured data without resorting to "open" Generative AI, ensuring control and accuracy.
- Low-Code Lab: Hands-on creation of a software "bot" to automate an administrative workflow.
- Methods and Best Practices for the adoption of automation: tools, roles and guidelines to bring RPA/IPA into production, monitor and scale it, with a focus on change management and sustainability.
MODULE 7: Agentic Process Automation: the new frontier of digitalization (8 hours)
This module introduces the new frontier of office digitization: AI Agents. Unlike RPA bots (which execute rigid sequences) or generative artificial intelligence (which creates content), Agents are systems capable of reasoning, planning and executing complex actions to achieve a business goal with supervised autonomy.
- Fundamentals: cognitive hallucinations, model reliability, construction and use of RAG pipelines; when to use generative AI and when to avoid it.
- From Automation to Autonomy: the evolution from rigid workflows to "Agentic Workflows". Understand how an Agent can orchestrate dynamic tasks (e.g. "handle this customer complaint" by autonomously deciding whether to offer a refund or ship a part based on policies).
- Human-in-the-loop: design processes where the AI Agent does the heavy lifting and the human only intervenes for approval or complex exceptions, and frees up time to devote to strategic activities
- Hybrid Process Orchestration: how to integrate people, RPA robots, and AI agents into a single, cohesive value stream.
- Simulation: redesign of a complex process (e.g. Order-to-Cash) using an Agentic approach to maximize speed and adaptability
- Deployment and Governance Methodologies: how to put AI agents into production in a controlled, monitorable and scalable way within the organization.
EXTRA MODULE: Creative Thinking: Beyond Continuous Improvement (8 hours)
The dynamics of creative thinking and the fundamental rules in the management of creative problem-solving sessions will be explored.
The value of some highly effective creative techniques will also be experienced live:
- Breaking the paradigm
- In search of paradoxes
- 10 verbs
- Sectors
- Ultilevel production
Teachers:
Stefano Biazzo, Department of Industrial Systems Technology and Management, University of Padova
Roberto Panizzolo, Department of Industrial Systems Technology and Management, University of Padova
Ilaria Bruni, Senior Partner, CONSIDI
Elisabetta Mason, Associate & Senior Consultant, CONSIDI
Roberto Ronzani, CEO and Director, Lean Management Institute
Federica Lago, Senior Consultant, FLConsulenza
Gabriele Donato, IT Senior Consultant
Luciano Balzarini, Managing Director, Horsa Flow
Alessandro Bertolini, Senior Solution Consultant, EUROGED
Alessandro Garofalo, Founder & Senior Consultant, Garofalo & Idee Associate
Registration and payment methods:
Write to stefano.biazzo@unipd.it, attaching your Curriculum Vitae and enrolment form
The instructions for the payment of the enrolment fee will be communicated at the time of confirmation of the activation of the course.
Registration deadline: 14/09/2026
For information:
stefano.biazzo@unipd.it
Lifelong Learning Courses