Key Performance Indicators and the Laboratory Dashboard – A Best Practice for Effective Environmental Laboratory Management

Best Practices for Managing Environmental Laboratories
Oral Presentation

Prepared by B. Meadows
Babcock Laboratories, 6100 Quail Valley Ct, Riverside, CA, 92507, United States


Contact Information: bmeadows@babcocklabs.com; 951-653-3351


ABSTRACT

Managing an environmental laboratory is a complex endeavor that requires a balance of oftentimes competing priorities. Laboratories must excel in areas that include, but are not limited to: customer service, high volume production, strict adherence to a rigorous quality system, and of course responsible financial performance. Attention and efforts made toward one aspect can often lead to the deterioration of others. In short, a laboratory manager must be able to balance these competing demands in such a way that all priorities can be monitored and addressed in real time. The solution to simultaneously managing all these concerns is to develop and track a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that monitor all the critical components of the business. These KPIs may be common to many laboratories, but may also be unique to the specific needs of the organization. Consolidating all these KPIs into a single look offers the laboratory manager something of a dashboard with which to monitor and measure the health of the business. This dashboard can provide the insight needed to make the incremental adjustments necessary to successfully manage the environmental laboratory. This presentation will explore the KPI Dashboard as a best management practice that enables environmental laboratories to meet the needs of their clients and regulators while maintaining a healthy financial situation