Association of

Laboratory Managers

This workshop presents the mission and function of the analytical enterprise along with ways to improve the quality, performance and evaluation of the laboratory. This workshop is for new managers and for present managers and supervisors who want a fresh look at ways to manage the chemical analysis support laboratory.

Key topics include:

• Laboratory mission and functions
• Aligning lab with business
• Ways to organize/restructure
• Laboratory design and work flow
• Selection of costly instruments
• Good laboratory operations
• Ways to avoid crises and handle complaints
• Recognition and rewards
• Manager’s leadership style
• Network with other laboratory managers

Workshop Leader: Dr. Claude Lucchesi has had 14 years of management experience with Shell, Sherwin-Williams and Mobil Chemical. Since 1968 he has been the Director of the Analytical Services Laboratory (ASL) at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. In 1995, he became an Emeritus Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and the Consulting Director for the ASL. Dr. Lucchesi was a cofounder of ALMA and served as its first President. He was the first recipient of the ALMA Distinguished Service Award in Laboratory Management Sponsored by Agilent Technologies. ⇑

This workshop takes a strategic view of the laboratory system in the context of current quality management philosophies to determine options for achieving best practices. Experiences will be shared to provide insight into the obstacles and expected outcomes for the various approaches. The workshop is designed for current managers who are seeking innovative ways to improve operations and to develop closer connections with the business.

Key topics include:

• Insuring analytical quality
• Setting and maintaining staffing standards
• Managing physical assets
• Setting and measuring service standards
• Selecting the right organizational structure
• Relationship management
• Information systems
• Quality standards and benchmarking
• Safety performance
• Setting staff objectives
• Financial performance

You will learn how laboratories are applying current management philosophies to get closer to the business and to streamline operations. Practical details of laboratory management such as cost control, maintaining analysis quality, improving laboratory reputation, effective staffing, capital budget justification, and so forth will be discussed but the emphasis will be on systems rather than daily operational issues. Workshop participants are expected to share experiences and best practices.

Workshop Leader: Dr. Wayne Collins has managed the laboratories of BP Solvay Polyethylene NA in Deer Park, Texas since 1987. During this time, he led the laboratories through significant change based upon total quality management and cost reduction initiatives. Experiences in the change process have been chronicled in numerous articles published in Managing the Modern Laboratory. Wayne served as the President of ALMA for the year 2000, publishes the ALMA e-News, and is the current Editor of Managing the Modern Laboratory. ⇑

This workshop is designed for those who either perform laboratory work or manage a laboratory that requires compliance with regulatory or quality system requirements. The course provides a broad overview of quality, standards, and compliance regulations in the laboratory, as well as a review of the laboratory system components that support compliance with quality system regulations as well as science based laboratory management.

Key topics include:

• What the similarities and differences are between cGMP, GLP, TQM, ISO 9001:2000, and Six Sigma quality.
• How to successfully manage a quality system within an analytical laboratory environment.
• Review of laboratory organization, personnel, and analyst training and certification requirements.
• Laboratory certification and accreditation (ISO 17025).
• Calibration, qualification, and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Review of facility requirements.
• Study of laboratory deviations, failure investigations, and compliance with OOS requirements.
• Test method development, system suitability, and method verification and validation.
• Guidelines for laboratory documentation, SOPs, project planning, reporting, record keeping, and management.
• Review of change control requirements for the laboratory and control systems for implementing change.
• Specification setting and sampling plans.
• Review and control of laboratory and reference standards
• Overview of good laboratory practices for testing facility operations.
• Preparation and requirements for audits and laboratory inspections.
• Stability testing and product evaluations

Workshop Leaders: Dr. Anthony J. Montana currently serves as Vice President of Analytical Development and Quality Control with Garden State Nutritionals in Fairfield, NJ. He has over 28 years experience in the areas of Laboratory and Quality Systems Management within the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Nutraceutical Industries. In addition, he has demonstrated experience in the design, development, and implementation of Quality Systems within the laboratory, and also serves as an ISO 9000 Lead Quality Assessor and Certified Quality Auditor. Dr. Montana is a past-President of both ALMA and the Northeast Section of the American Oil Chemists Society. He has also published and presented over 50 papers and workshops in the areas of Analytical Chemistry, Technical Management, and the Quality Process. ⇑