1. senior management concerns
1.1. purpose of lab work: development of knowledge, information, and data
1.1.1. research
1.1.1.1. basic research
1.1.1.2. new products
1.1.1.3. solve problems
1.1.1.4. improve organizations
1.1.1.4.1. profits
1.1.1.4.2. reputation
1.1.1.4.3. grants, other income
1.1.2. testing
1.1.2.1. support research
1.1.2.2. routine / non-routine
1.1.2.2.1. analytical work
1.1.2.2.2. physical testing
1.1.2.3. quality control
1.1.2.3.1. incoming raw materials
1.1.2.3.2. monitor production
1.1.2.3.3. product testing
1.1.2.3.4. product release for shipment
1.2. their education (high level)
1.2.1. understand technology roles
1.2.2. be aware of technology capabilities
1.3. enable labs to be effective
1.3.1. set organizational standards for competency, data integrity, innovation, meeting regulatory requirements and operational models / standards
1.3.2. develop / coordinate long-range planning
1.3.3. setting / coordinating goals and objectives
1.3.4. proposal evaluation
1.3.4.1. approve / disapprove funding requests
1.3.5. enable educational opportunities to keep lab personnel up-to-date
1.3.5.1. evaluate competency
1.3.6. support labs in conjunction with other groups (IT)
1.3.6.1. backup
1.3.6.2. technology policies
1.3.6.3. support
1.3.7. higher level management of lab results: knowledge / information / data
1.3.8. provide coordination between labs
1.3.8.1. shared technology (individual instances)
1.3.8.2. avoid duplicate technologies unless appropriate (take advantage of higher-level view of lab operations)
1.3.8.3. longer-term perspective against organizational goals and programs