A Problem Well Stated Post 2: Problem Trigage
If you’ve ever jumped into fixing a lab issue only to realize later you were solving the wrong problem—or solving it too intensely—this post is for you.
In Problem Triage, I unpack a common challenge in quality systems: the tendency to rush into root cause analysis or corrective actions without first defining what’s really going on. We’re not talking about experimental hiccups—we’re talking about the internal disruptions that ISO/IEC 17025 calls Nonconforming Work. These are the slowdowns, surprises, and detours that threaten outcomes and demand thoughtful response.
I share why teams often struggle to define these problems clearly, and how triage—yes, like in an ER—can help. You’ll learn how to pause, assess severity and scope, and choose a response that fits the issue, not just the urgency.
This post is a call to breathe, reflect, and lead with clarity. Because when you triage well, you don’t just fix problems—you build a lab culture that’s resilient, focused, and ready for anything.