LIMS and user specs

The most important part of any laboratory information management system (LIMS) is the user specification. Many people think a user spec is nothing but a plan, part of avoiding the mistakes that are inevitable if you do not prepare properly.

For me a user spec is much more. It is a set of ground rules that ensure the client knows what they are buying and the supplier knows what the client expects. We recently started the implementation process with a new client and found that the client had a different understanding of how the reporting module of QBCon Lab-i would work.

A good spec by the team helped QBCon understand that the client wanted non-standard reporting that was not previously mentioned. By understanding the client’s expectation early, QBCon was able to plan for the required customisation and make sure that the end product matches the client’s expectations.

The incident may seem trivial but it has far reaching implications. The client's satisfaction with the product is guaranteed, and future development work is now a possibility.