ATL Needs Assessment Services

One of the core consulting services offered by ATL is a comprehensive LIMS Needs Assessment. This service is ideal for organizations that are planning to invest in a LIMS and see value in bringing in an external expert to assist with defining the business and technical requirements. An ATL LIMS Needs Assessment can provide the business justification and a valuable road map to a successful LIMS implementation. It can also help clients avoid potential pitfalls to their LIMS project.

The ATL LIMS Needs Assessment consists of a proven three-step process:

Step #1: On-site Engagement

  • A member of ATL’s Consulting Services Group will conduct an on-site engagement that includes the following:
    • Conduct comprehensive interviews with key laboratory management and staff.
    • Document roles and responsibilities.
    • Document issues/risks/concerns.
    • Define LIMS requirements based on input from all LIMS stakeholders.
    • Work with laboratory and IT to document the existing client and server software/hardware environment including the network infrastructure.

 

 “In our process of selecting a new LIMS for our laboratory, we requested ATL’s Needs Assessment prior to finalizing an agreement.  In preparation for the Assessment, many of the questions ATL asked helped us focus in greater detail on such things as what percent of time is spent on certain tasks; processes that contribute to errors and inefficiencies that, therefore, are costing us time and money; what currently works well that we would wish to retain in a new system.
 
The Needs Assessment process gave all the lab staff an opportunity to voice their needs and desires, both individually and in a group setting.  This not only makes everyone an integral part of the process, but it also gives them more of a stake in the solutions developed.  We believe it was worth the time and money invested to not only provide a clearer, more detailed picture of all equipment, software and time required on the part of the lab staff, but also to show us how the ATL LIMS would specifically meet our particular needs.”
 
Janice Marsh
Director, IT Services
CII Laboratory Services

Step #2: ATL Cross-Functional Team Analysis

  • ATL performs an off-site analysis based on the observations and notes documented during the on-site visit.
  • ATL has adopted a proven process to conducting the analysis that brings together an ATL team that includes knowledge matter experts in laboratory operations and processes and Sample Master® LIMS implementation experience.


 
 Step #3: LIMS Needs Assessment Summary Report

The result of the ATL Cross-Functional Team Analysis is a final deliverable called the LIMS Needs Assessment Summary Report. This report is presented to the client and consists of the following:
  • Observations gathered by ATL during the on-site engagement.
  • Analysis conducted by Cross-Functional ATL Team.
  • Documented issues/risks/concerns.
  • Recommendations Report that includes:
    • Recommended sample process flow that may include suggestions for streamlining/improving the current flow.
    • Recommended plan for automating laboratory processes based on the organization’s business requirements.
    • Identification of potential risk factors and recommendations for addressing these issues.
    • Efficiency and data quality improvement metrics based on the observations and analysis of the Cross-Functional ATL Team.
 
Needs Assessment Data Sheet

For more information on the ATL LIMS Needs Assessment Service,
please contact Ken Ochi at (800) 565-LIMS or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .