INTRODUCTION TO
LABORATORY
MANAGEMENT
By:
Refiel G. Carlos
TERMS IN LABORATORY
MANAGEMENT
• Laboratory management - is the process of organizing and
controlling laboratory activities to ensure uninterrupted and safe
operation.
• Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) - Systems used
to manage patient data, test results, and clinical laboratory workflow
• Laboratory informatics - The use of information technology in a
laboratory environment to collect, process, store, and manage
scientific data.
TERMS IN LABORATORY
MANAGEMENT
• Standard operating procedure (SOP) - A detailed set
of written instructions for performing specific functions consistently
across studies and different patients.
• Authorized personnel - Laboratory personnel authorized to enter
controlled areas or approve procedures.
• Occurrence management - A process for investigating errors or
non-conformances that may affect laboratory operations.
TERMS IN LABORATORY
MANAGEMENT
• Laboratory accreditation - The process of assessing and
accrediting laboratories based on their compliance with established
standards.
• Quality assurance (QA) - The process of ensuring that laboratory
data and processes meet established quality standards.
• Quality control - Measures taken to ensure the accuracy and
precision of laboratory results.
TERMS IN LABORATORY
MANAGEMENT
• Organization - The Laboratory must be able to demonstrate a well-
defined organizational structure that identifies who is ultimately in
charge of lab operations and to whom they report. An essential tool
for this is an organogram, also known as an organizational chart.
To maintain a well-oiled system, the lab must also demonstrate that
regular and periodic tasks are planned for and under control.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF
MANAGEMENT
• Planning
• Involves creating goals
and determining how to
attain them. To make
good plans, managers
must be aware of the
environment both now
and in the future.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF
MANAGEMENT
• Organizing
• Developing an organizational
framework and assigning
human resources to guarantee
the achievement of goals
constitute the organizing role of
management.
BASIC FUNCTIONS
OF MANAGEMENT
• Leading
• Involves influencing
and guiding people to
achieve goals.
Leadership is a key
factor in organizational
success.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF
MANAGEMENT
• Controlling
• Entails reviewing the
way plans are being
carried out and
adjusting as necessary
to guarantee that
objectives are fulfilled.
Supervisors may also
be in charge of staff
training and deadline
management.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT
• Resource • Human resource
management development
• Requires overseeing • Requires training
the individuals, employees to help with
resources, and the company's future
technology in order to expansion.
achieve outcomes.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT
• Performance • Decision-making
management • Involves making daily
• Includes conducting decisions to manage
meetings with the company.
subordinates to assist
them in establishing
objectives and sharing
their advancements.
MANAGEMENT
THEORIES
BUREAUCRACY THEORY
• The dictionary states that bureaucracy is a system run by many
officials to carefully enforce rules in a country, company, or
organization.
• In modern times, bureaucracy is frequently linked with negative
meanings, however, when Weber introduced bureaucratic
theory, it aimed to address significant issue
• Max Weber, who was born in 1864, was a sociologist from
Germany. He came of age during a period when the
organization of workers was becoming more crucial due to
industrialization. Society was transitioning towards bigger and
bigger institutions, shifting from small farms with a few workers
to factories with thousands of employees in organizational
management.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
BUREAUCRACY
ADVANTAGES LIMITATIONS
• Efficiency • Inflexibility
• Predictability • Empire Building
• Red Tape
FREDERICK TAYLOR
THEORY OF SCIENTIFIC
MANAGEMENT
• Taylor's scientific management theory was
focused on enhancing economic efficiency,
specifically in terms of labor productivity.
Taylor believed that money was the main
driving force for people's motivation at
work. He believed in the concept of
workers receiving equitable compensation
for their efforts, with wages directly tied to
productivity.
Taylor’s
Scientific
Management
process is
summarized
in the
diagram
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
TO THE ORGANIZATION
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Increased efficiency and • Potential resistance from
productivity workers
• Standardization of • Overemphasis of efficiency
procedures • Lack of flexibility
• Clear division of labor • Potential dehumanization of
• Teamwork work
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
TO THE EMPLOYEE
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Clear expectations and • Loss of autonomy
guidelines • Monotonous and repetitive
• Opportunities for training tasks
and development • Lack of creativity and
• Fair compensation innovation
• Improved working conditions • Potential for burnout
ELTON MAYO
HUMAN RELATION
THEORY
• Mayo's theory of Human
Relations Motivation, which
includes the Hawthorn Effect,
focuses on workplace
motivation.
• Mayo's Theory of Motivation,
which includes the Hawthorne
Effect, gave rise to the Human
Relations School of thinking.
This underscores the
significance of managers
showing greater concern for
their staff. Mayo thought that
job performance was
influenced by both social
relationships and job content.
PRINCIPLES OF
HUMAN RELATIONS THEORY
• Social Interaction
• Individual Attention
• Participation and Involvement
• Informal Communication
• Leadership Style
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
TO THE ORGANIZATION
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Increased employee satisfaction and • Potential resistance to change from employees
accustomed to traditional management
motivation. approaches
• Improved teamwork and collaboration. • Time-consuming process of building and
maintaining positive social relationships.
• Enhanced employee engagement and • Potential for decreased focus on productivity.
commitment.
• Possibility of conflicts arising from social
• Enhanced organizational culture and dynamics.
cohesion • Challenges in maintaining a balance between
social needs and work objectives.
• Higher productivity and efficiency
• Resistance to change due to strong social bonds.
• Reduced turnover and absenteeism • Difficulty in quantifying the impact of social
• Better retention of talented employees factors on productivity.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
TO THE EMPLOYEE
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Increased job satisfaction and sense of • Potential conflicts and disagreements within
the workplace.
belongingness
• Pressure to conform to group norms and
• Opportunities for personal and expectations.
professional growth.
• Limited individual autonomy in decision-
• Supportive work environment. making.
• Enhanced communication and • Potential for favoritism or bias in social
relationships.
collaboration with colleagues.
• Possibility of blurred boundaries between
• Greater involvement in decision-making work and personal life.
processes,
• Increased workload due to informal
• Recognition and appreciation for individual expectations.
contributions.
HENRI FAYOL
ADMINISTRATIVE
THEORY
• Administrative theory, also known as
traditional management theory, is the
oldest theory in the field. It takes into
account the organization instead of just
concentrating on production.
• Henri Fayol, a key figure in this theory,
defined the roles of managers and
determined that management is applicable
in all settings. He promoted specialization,
fairness in treatment, consistency in
staffing, and the inclusion of management
education in universities.
14 PRINCIPLES OF
ADMINISTRATIVE
THEORY
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
TO THE ORGANIZATION
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Improved efficiency and • Potential for excessive centralization and
productivity. lack of employee empowerment.
• Clear chain of command and • Rigidity in decision-making and
communication. resistance to change.
• Enhanced coordination and unity • Possibility of creating a hierarchical and
among employees. bureaucratic organizational culture,.
• Effective utilization of resources. • Limited flexibility in adapting to unique
• Motivated and loyal workforce. environments
• Provides a universal framework of • Challenges in maintaining unity of
management. command.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
TO THE EMPLOYEE
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Clear structure and hierarchy. • Limited autonomy and decision-
making power.
• Clear understanding of roles and • Potential for lack of creativity and
responsibilities innovation.
• Fair compensation and recognition for • Possibility of feeling constrained by
their work. strict rules and regulations.
• Potential conflicts arising form a
• Job security and stability. hierarchical structure.
• Opportunities for growth and • Possibility of slower response to
development. change.
• Sense of belonging and team spirit. • Potential for micromanagement.
STRAGETEGIES FOR DEALING WITH
PROBLEMS IN LABORATORY OPERATIONS
1. Define the problem: Identify the problem
and list all possible explanations.
2. Collect data: Gather data to help identify
the cause of the problem.
STRAGETEGIES FOR DEALING WITH
PROBLEMS IN LABORATORY OPERATIONS
3. Analyze: Analyze the root causes of the
problem.
4. Plan: Develop a plan to address the
problem and achieve the desired outcomes.
STRAGETEGIES FOR DEALING WITH
PROBLEMS IN LABORATORY OPERATIONS
5. Implement: Implement the plan and
establish control measures to sustain the
improvements.
6. Document: Document the issue and close
out the incident with the necessary approvals.
STRAGETEGIES FOR DEALING WITH
PROBLEMS IN LABORATORY OPERATIONS
7. Use a structured approach: Use a
structured approach like the Define, Measure,
Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) method
to help identify and solve problems.
STRAGETEGIES FOR DEALING WITH
PROBLEMS IN LABORATORY OPERATIONS
8. Use visual management: Use visual
cues like color-coded labels, charts, and
signs to help lab personnel identify
equipment, materials, and processes.
SKILLS NECESSARY FOR AN
EFFECTIVE LABORATORY MANAGER
CREATIVE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
• Ability to analyze
situations, find solutions,
and implement them
effectively.
• This may include keeping
up with technology and
automation to solve
problems.
LEADERSHIP
• Ability to inspire and empower a
team, listen to them, and make
important decisions.
• This requires strong
communication skills, and the
ability to delegate tasks and
lead by example.
COMMUNICATION
• Ability to communicate
effectively in a variety of ways.
• Poor communication can lead
to conflict, resentment, and
missed guidelines.
MANAGING
PROJECTS
• Responsible for
managing every aspect
of the project, from the
initial planning and
execution to the
installations and
closure.
MANAGING
BUDGET
• Ability to create, track, analyze ,
and forecast budgets.
• This involves understanding
operational and personnel
costs to mitigate risks.
SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT
• Due to rapid advancements in
technology, it is important for the
entire team to improve their skills
collectively. Promoting and
nurturing skill development within
the team is vital for meeting the
requirements of a top-tier
laboratory. A skilled Lab Manager
helps employees reach their
objectives, recognizing and
addressing skill deficiencies to
improve the team as a whole.
SAFETY SUPERVISOR
• Ability to maintain and update safety
manuals and procedures to ensure all
safety precautions are followed.
ATTENTION
TO DETAIL
• The ability to
be eager and ensure
that calculations and
measurements
are correct.
LABORATORY
PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT
• Ability to define
laboratory
goals and develop
plans to achieve
them, which
requires
understanding
various aspects of
laboratory
management.
Management By Objectives Process
Management By Objectives Process
• Implementing an MBO strategy in a laboratory may include a technician
aiming to reduce the turnaround time for a particular test by 10% in a
quarter. This can be achieved through actions such as improving sample
preparation methods, simplifying data analysis, and consistently tracking
progress towards the goal. The technician should work closely with their
supervisor to recognize possible obstacles and adapt plans accordingly.
