Lab Informatics Implementation and Delivery

Authors: Vidushi Asati

The rapid advancement of technology has significantly transformed the way laboratories operate. Data drives scientific progress, and efficient data management, collaboration, and compliance are critical. Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) have emerged as indispensable tools in modern laboratories. Like any other technological project, various elements are involved in developing and managing ELN and LIMS. Here, we discuss the project delivery and implementation process for the ELN and LIMS.

Project delivery, in general, is the comprehensive process holding the plan, execution, and completion of a project, aligning with predefined goals and requirements. It involves stages such as scoping, framing and estimation, requirements, design, and development, and UAT, each essential to the project’s lifecycle. Implementation is a crucial phase within project delivery, explicitly focusing on implementing the project plan. This includes executing tasks, integrating project components, testing for quality, and transitioning to operational status. Implementation ensures that the project’s deliverables are operational, functional, and ready for use by the end-users or stakeholders. This step is vital for achieving the project’s goals and realizing its desired impact.

Project delivery and implementation involve a series of structured phases, particularly in methodologies like scoping, framing and estimation, requirements, design, development, UAT, and go-live. Each phase is critical in ensuring the project is successfully delivered and implemented.

Figure 1: ELN and LIMS implementation

1. Scoping:

This is the initial phase, where the project’s scope, objectives, deliverables and timelines are defined. It involves identifying the key requirements and constraints, determining the project’s scale, and setting clear expectations which ensures to hit the project goals and objectives without delay, overwork. An effective scoping helps in avoiding scope creep and ensures all stakeholders have a common understanding of the project. Any queries and doubts in scoping are clarified by the respective vendors and implementation partners. This gives us an edge to create a proposal with a deliberate thought process.

2. Framing and Estimation:

This phase involves developing a more detailed understanding of the project’s requirements and constraints. Estimation plays a vital role in this phase, as it involves determining the resources (time, budget, personnel) required to execute the project. Framing sets the overall structure of the project, including timelines, milestones, and critical paths. Inputs and feedback are taken up from all the vendors along with the high-level estimates. This helps to build a concrete proposal and an achievable timeline.

3. Requirements:

This phase involves detailed gathering and analysis of requirements. It includes understanding the needs of stakeholders and defining the functional and non-functional requirements of the client. Structured documentation and agreement on these requirements are crucial for the subsequent phases. An appropriate project management tool is optimized and utilized to streamline the entire project decision process.

4. Design and Development:

This phase translates the requirements into actual design specifications and development work. In this phase, combining the different project management approaches such as Agile and Waterfall, the team translates client requirements into concrete design specifications and development frameworks. This phase encompasses tasks such as developing architectural designs, writing code or solutions, and conducting multiple iterative tests throughout the development process. Integrating Scrum principles into program management can significantly enhance the iterative structural design and solution development process. Subject matter experts (SME) will be engaged in brainstorming sessions to deeply understand client requirements, working in tandem with the development team to turn concepts into reality. This phase also emphasizes the importance of collaboration across various teams, including design, development, and testing, to ensure a cohesive and efficient workflow. At Excelra, the integration of the ELN and LIMS team, comprising members from diverse backgrounds, provides a unique advantage. Our expertise in multiple approaches allows for the structured planning and clear milestones of Waterfall, while also incorporating the flexibility and adaptability of Agile methodologies, ensuring a dynamic and responsive project development environment.

5. User Acceptance Testing (UAT):

UAT is a critical phase where the end-users test the system or product in a controlled environment. The goal is to ensure that the solution meets the agreed requirements and is ready for use. Comments from UAT is used fine-tune the system or product before the project goes live. As an implementation partner, we will help the client with project management, necessary training, bug fixing, and additional testing.

6. Go Live and Hypercare:

The Go Live phase is the actual implementation or launch of the project. Hypercare follows the go-live, where we will provide intense support to handle any immediate issues, ensuring stability, and facilitating a smooth transition. This phase is crucial for monitoring the system’s performance and rectifying any operational issues. Excelra will ensure that transferring the responsibility for the project’s ongoing operation and maintenance from the project team to the support or operational team goes without any hitches.

Throughout this phase, continuous communication, stakeholder engagement, and risk management are essential to ensure the project stays on track and meets its objectives. Each phase builds upon the previous one, moving from conceptualization to the actual implementation and operationalization of the project. The successful execution and deployment of ELN and LIMS systems hinge on careful planning, comprehensive requirements gathering, and efficient communication with all involved parties. Additionally, continuous support and maintenance are essential to ensure that the system lasts to meet the laboratory’s needs and adapts to evolving requirements. Excelra promises to ensure the smooth delivery and implementation of ELN and LIMS systems to our esteemed clients.