Process family
Laboratory testing: from worklist and sample preparation to a reviewable result
Fourteen laboratory testing flowcharts: the worklist, sample preparation, analytical testing and method execution chain, the chromatography, dissolution, microbiological and purpose-specific variants, and the in-run QC controls.
Laboratory testing is the part of the laboratory that produces a result: an assigned work item is prepared, run under a controlled method with its readiness and suitability checks, and handed on as a result package for review. This family orders four templates in the sequence a run passes through them, and gathers the technique-specific and purpose-specific variants and the in-run controls around them.
The chain starts before the bench. The laboratory worklist checks a request is complete, sets its priority, assigns a qualified analyst and balances capacity. Sample preparation confirms the instruction and the sample status, prepares materials and hands the prepared container on. Analytical testing then confirms the method scope, checks readiness, runs the sequence and reviews the raw data; test method execution is the same run seen from one work item, keeping instruction, setup checks, raw data and review in one route. Both end in a result package that leaves for data review.
What goes wrong is usually decided before the first injection: an outdated method version, a system never shown suitable, a failed control quietly rerun. Laboratory quality control runs the acceptance checks and documents the release decision before results are relied on. The system suitability failure template starts with control of evidence, not a new injection: stop the run, secure the data, troubleshoot, recheck, assess the impacted work. Control chart review turns a shift or trend into an owned decision; there is no separate out-of-trend template, and an OOS result goes to investigations.
The variants share the same spine and differ in what is checked. The laboratory testing flowchart is the umbrella, from method selection through readiness, preparation, system suitability and QC to review and reporting. Chromatography, dissolution and microbiological testing are technique-specific; raw material, finished product and stability testing are purpose-specific, and each ends by handing a reviewed result to whoever owns material, batch or study status. The sample arrives from the sample lifecycle and the method from the analytical method lifecycle; the equipment, reagents and analysts a run depends on have families of their own.
The sequence
Step 1: Laboratory worklist process flowchart
An editable laboratory worklist workflow for checking request completeness and priority, assigning qualified analysts, balancing capacity and resources, escalating conflicts and tracking each item to its next action.
Step 2: Sample preparation process flowchart
An editable sample preparation workflow for confirming instructions and sample status, preparing materials, checking the preparation record, correcting issues and handing prepared samples to testing.
Step 3: Analytical testing process flowchart
An editable analytical testing workflow for confirming method scope, preparing samples and standards, checking readiness, executing a sequence, reviewing raw data and resolving readiness failures.
Step 4: Test method execution process flowchart
An editable test method execution workflow for confirming an approved instruction, setting up work, checking readiness, capturing raw data, reviewing the result package and escalating unavailable resources.
Also part of this family
- Laboratory testing process flowchart — A laboratory testing workflow covering method selection, equipment and reagent readiness, sample preparation, system suitability, quality control, result review and reporting.
- Chromatography testing process flowchart — An editable chromatography testing workflow for confirming method, sequence and samples, preparing the system, checking suitability, resolving a failed suitability check and reviewing chromatographic data.
- Dissolution testing process flowchart — An editable dissolution testing workflow for confirming the method and sample configuration, preparing apparatus and materials, checking setup, resolving issues, recording observations and reviewing the result record.
- Microbiological testing process flowchart — An editable microbiological testing workflow for confirming sample and method information, preparing test materials, checking controls and equipment, recording observations and resolving setup failures.
- Raw material testing process flowchart — An editable raw material testing workflow for confirming material identity and records, planning required checks, preparing samples and controls, resolving invalid work and providing reviewed status input.
- Finished product testing process flowchart — An editable finished product testing workflow for confirming product and batch information, planning test work, checking controls and data review, investigating issues and sending reviewed results to disposition.
- Stability testing process flowchart — An editable stability testing workflow for confirming a scheduled pull and sample record, retrieving material, assessing condition and records, escalating observations and handing suitable samples to planned testing.
- Laboratory quality control process flowchart — A laboratory quality control workflow for planning controls, preparing QC samples, running acceptance checks, reviewing failures, assessing sample results and documenting release decisions.
- System suitability failure process flowchart — A system suitability failure workflow for stopping a run, securing data, troubleshooting documented causes, rechecking suitability, assessing impacted work and escalating unresolved failures.
- Laboratory control chart review process flowchart — An editable laboratory control chart review workflow for collecting current data, checking chart completeness, assessing shifts or trends, investigating signals and assigning follow-up actions.