222-S Laboratory Project Management

Disciplined project management is a critical underpinning for the success of any analytical project. ATL’s discipline ensures that interfaces with our customers result in project and/or program success. This requires an effective project management system coupled with a strong culture of customer focus.

At the laboratory level, our management approach centers around the Project Manager (PM). The PM acts as the interface between the customer and the laboratory to ensure customer requirements and expectations are met. We take great pride in our customer service and are consistently ranked in the 95th percentile for customer satisfaction.

Pre-Project Support

Communication from the beginning...

Successful project management requires effective communication of the project objectives, applicable regulations, schedules, analytical requirements, data quality objectives, and other project specific details. Communication with the ATL PM begins during the initial planning stages of a project having an analytical component. The types of activities that are managed with the PM prior to initiation of the project include:

• Technical assessment of the analytical, waste disposal, and fissionable material requirements
• Internal meeting with staff to ensure all technical requirements are well defined and understood
• Assistance in the determination of appropriate methods, detection levels, and quality assurance requirements
• Confirmation of required governmental certifications and authorizations
• Coordination with subcontract laboratories
• Definition of data deliverables

Project Planning

Communicating project requirements saves time and prevents technical deficiencies.

The initial investment of time to coordinate with the PM during the pre-project planning stages minimizes the potential of errors in the project's analytical program. To meet project requirements, the analytical data must be generated from technically correct methods that meet specified quality control requirements. Identifying and defining the variables in the sampling and analysis plan and quality assurance project plan ensures that project objectives are achievable in the field and the laboratory.

Some of the common elements that are addressed in the project-planning phase include:

• Scheduling – Our PMs ensure that laboratory capacity is available when the project begins.
• Analytical approach - Approaches are determined early to minimize delays.
• Method applicability - Appropriate methods, compound lists, and reporting limits are selected to ensure success.
• Project deliverables - Project deliverables are confirmed prior to the initiation of sampling activities. ATL's support staff provide assistance on the various deliverable formats offered to ensure that laboratory data generated meet your project objectives.

Project Execution

Changes in scope are inevitable as a project develops and evolves. The ATL PM ensures that changes are documented, as concurred by the customer, and communicated to 222-S laboratory personnel.

We develop high quality reports and provide consultation regarding laboratory data.