Measuring the effects of laboratory automation: The power of empirically derived models

Laboratory data systems are automated for a variety of scientific and management reasons. A key part to maintaining these systems is to regularly assess the impact that automation has had on the laboratory and the organization as a whole. Smith Kline Beecham R&D is using a number of different types of measurement, as well as a number of different tools, for measuring how automated laboratory systems are affecting the workflow and information flow in the laboratory. This targeted programme of metrics has increased management confidence in laboratory automation efforts, helped anticipate data processing bottlenecks, and highlighted end-user support needs.