Mark Francis
Pat Nolan12 Things Your Test Lab Wants to Tell You
When working with a third-party testing laboratory it is extremely important to establish a positive working relationship with the laboratory from the start of a project, through completion of the project. Whether you require testing of packaging, products or materials; knowing how the testing lab would like to work with you upfront makes all the difference in the world.
Here are 12 things your test lab wants to tell you that should help your testing go as smoothly as possible.
1. Be sure to know your test standard.
2. Organize your samples and always document what you send.
3. Provide test set ups so if the lab has to do any exploratory work, it can destroy specimens without consequence.
4. Don’t assume that the lab knows your product as well as you do. Be sure to tell the lab anything special that it needs to know.
5. Having one point of contact at our lab and your company makes communications easier.
6. Beware of scope creep.
7. Read and understand your quote for testing services. It’s never fun for either party to realize that something has been left out and might jeopardize a customer’s project.
8. If you have multiple tests but not enough specimens for each test, make sure to address the order of testing (ex: non-destructive testing first, then destructive testing; easy tests to more robust tests).
9. If your product fails a test, we can only comment on the testing that we did.
10. Special requests are no problem, but be sure to communicate them up front.
11. Know what you want the testing to accomplish, if you are not specific, you may not get what you want.
12. If you prepare your own specimens, make sure they are to the standard.
Most testing laboratories have guidelines that they would like customers to follow, however, they aren’t always addressed up front. Taking into consideration these 12 steps will help all parties involved in testing projects, to support open communications and help to maintain a great business relationship.