Developing an automation concept that is right for your laboratory.

BACKGROUND Trends in laboratory automation and critical project principles and design concepts are presented. APPROACH MDS AutoLab technology development and automation projects were reviewed. Successful methods and approaches were extracted. ISSUES Continued pressure on the laboratory to reduce costs and increase productivity has catalyzed dramatic development in laboratory automation. Today, laboratories can choose from a wide range of options. The most effective choices are not always the most obvious and will not be the same for all laboratories. Laboratory automation projects are highly complex and must be planned and managed across clinical, technical, operational, financial, and human dimensions. CONCLUSIONS Success requires excellent communications, an understanding of the risks and barriers, and a dedicated team supported by strong champions throughout the organization. The automation project team will need to use a variety of skills and techniques to evaluate and reengineer processes to identify the highest value targets for automation.