Laboratory relocation begins with proper planning. A well organized and well executed lab relocation requires an understanding of all the moving parts (the analogy is trying to change the wheels of a car as it’s moving), identifying weak links in the chain of accountability, putting the right resources where they need to be and an excruciating attention to detail to properly manage and execute the move.
The Project Initiation Phase is the first phase where the desire to relocate goes beyond the idea stage, begins to take shape and translates into concrete decisions for the move. It is in this phase where the laboratory is to be relocated is chosen as well as the design/build team
architects, lab planners, engineers, general and specialty contractors and consultants and relocation project manager.
Five Steps in the Relocation Process
Many laboratory relocations are unfortunately disorganized, or badly executed. In many cases, laboratory relocation projects are undertaken internally with a limited understanding of the required skillset and complexity involved. Responsibility for relocations are also often delegated to owner's project managers (OPM) who, though fluent in new project construction, may not have the required technical understanding of laboratory instrumentation, the service and support requirements and other critical considerations that affect relocation project phasing and the overall relocation plan.
Bench level knowledge of the assets, laboratory workflows and an understanding of lab personnel requirements for them to perform their daily tasks, is critical. This effectively establishes credibility and cooperation amongst diverse cross functional teams including scientists, facilities, lab management and support personnel within the organization.
The type of equipment and instrumentation in your lab plays a significant role in the activities required to relocate. From general lab equipment like balances, pH meters, centrifuges, and incubators. to analytical lab equipment like HPLC, LCMSMS and NMRs, the way these instruments are benchmarked, shut down, packed, shipped, installed and qualified in addition to the scope of your operational goals directly influences relocation planning.
A lab relocation is one of the most critical and costly events in the life of a business. A successful laboratory relocation is comprised of a set of complex, interactive activities that require careful planning, efficient coordination, and proper execution.
Lost productivity, lost revenue, lost clients, and a lost reputation can easily be the consequence of a disorganized relocation. Overbrook provides comprehensive management of the relocation process of which site preparedness is a crucial part of an organized laboratory relocation.
The type of equipment and instrumentation in your lab plays a significant role in the activities required to relocate. From general lab equipment like balances, pH meters, centrifuges, and incubators. to analytical lab equipment like
HPLC, LCMSMS and NMRs, the way these instruments are benchmarked, shut down, packed, shipped, installed and qualified in addition to the scope of your operational goals directly influences relocation planning.
With so many moving parts, in addition to strict time frames and production schedules, a lab relocation presents a variety of risks. To mitigate these risks contingency planning for various scenarios is essential. Your plan should be expected to change, and how you make decisions based on these changes will play a critical role in the success of your move. An experienced lab relocation specialist is an excellent resource in this regard. Understanding the complexity and designating a qualified relocation manager to properly manage a laboratory relocation is a critical decision.
Understanding all the complexity, identifying weak links in the chain of accountability, putting the right resources where they need to be, and excruciating attention to detail is a prerequisite to properly manage and execute the project.
Overbrook focuses on lab relocations and knows any successful move results from careful planning, efficient harmonization and proper execution, often within strict timelines and production schedules.
Our business and lab relocation engineers and project managers are aligned to operate with your outcomes in mind. We are customer-outcome focused in order to protect and grow your business. Our engineering services and project management team coordinates with the mover to ensure your valuable analytical instrumentation is securely and safely moved, and then re-qualified at the destination site.
At Overbrook, we understand that the success of your laboratory depends on your peace of mind. Solving the problem of how to move, on time, on budget, with minimal disruption so you can return to your science uninterrupted is what we do.
If you are
planning a lab relocation, Overbrook is ready to provide you with better science, better service, and peace of mind.
Millions of dollars can be spent on a new facility and relocation. More often than not, landing site requirements are not to specification causing costly delays in getting the lab back up and running.
Lost productivity, lost revenue, lost clients and a lost reputation can easily be the consequences of a disorganized relocation.
Peace of mind means leaving lab relocations to the experts. Relocations are one of the most critical and costly events in the life of the business. Why take the chance?
Overbrook personnel are uniquely qualified to manage and support your lab relocation, as we are lab instrumentation specialists with many years of experience and can provide a relocation that is smooth and on schedule.
Whether with your Client Group, Design Group or Construction Group, our protocols, plans and processes insure an operationally sound laboratory relocation plan with the lab moving team, scientists, facilities personnel and outside vendors.
Most laboratory personnel assigned to the relocation already have full time jobs, increasing the risk of something being omitted or overlooked. The devil is in the details.
Those labs that attempt to absorb the burden of managing a lab relocation internally, quickly regret it. You already have a full-time job so adding the intricacies of relocating a lab denies you of the peace of mind required to carry out your daily responsibilities.
A lab relocation is one of the most critical and costly events in the life of a business. A successful laboratory relocation is comprised of a set of complex, interactive activities that require careful planning, efficient coordination, and proper execution.