The LCS is Changing: Accreditation Portal, Membership & Partnership Tiers, and Future Improvements
By Tim Edwards
Over the coming months, the Lean Competency System will begin introducing a series of important improvements to how accreditations, certifications, and member engagement are managed across our community.
These developments represent a significant step forward in modernising and strengthening the LCS for the future, helping us create a more robust, transparent, and scalable system for accredited organisations, certified practitioners, and learners worldwide.
What is changing?
As part of this transformation, we are introducing:
- A new LCS Members Portal to improve accreditation and certification management
- A new membership and partnership tier structure, which will replace the current fee model
The new portal will gradually become the central platform for managing interactions with the LCS, including accreditation activity, certification issuance and records, and member-related services.
Alongside this, our new membership structure will provide clearer pathways, improved transparency, and a stronger alignment between the services organisations use and the value they receive.
Why are we making these changes?
Since the LCS was established in 2007, many of our processes have evolved organically over time and are currently reliant on email, forms, multiple documents, and manual administration.
As the LCS community continues to grow internationally, we believe it is important to invest in systems and structures that:
- improve the experience for accredited organisations and learners
- strengthen the integrity and traceability of certifications
- create greater consistency and transparency
- enable better self-service and easier access to information
- support the long-term credibility and global reputation of the Lean Competency System
These changes are designed not only to improve operational efficiency, but also to strengthen the value and robustness of the LCS for the whole community.
What does this mean for accredited organisations?
For most organisations, the immediate impact will be limited.
We will be introducing these changes gradually over time, and existing accredited organisations will only transition to the new portal and updated membership structure at the point of their next reaccreditation cycle. If an organisation is due to reaccredit prior to 1st August 2026, they will do so on the existing structure.
This phased approach is intended to ensure organisations have sufficient time to understand the changes, prepare for onboarding, and access the guidance and support they need.
Some organisations, particularly those with existing internal learning management systems or stricter IT/security requirements, may experience a greater degree of process change, and we will work closely with those organisations throughout the transition.
What support will be available?
We have prepared more detailed resources about the change and will be holding a series of webinars for organisations due for reaccreditation in the run-up to their expiry. Details will be shared in your invitation to reaccredit email.
Additional Resources:
We are committed to working closely with our community throughout this transition and ensuring organisations feel informed, supported, and engaged as these changes are introduced.
Looking ahead
We believe these developments will significantly strengthen the future of the Lean Competency System and create a better experience for organisations, practitioners, and learners alike.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we take this next step in the evolution of the LCS.
