Sampling resources, allocation

Step 1.3 Identify and Allocate Additional Resources. The audit may require external resources, such as laboratory facilities and possibly equipment for air sampling, flow measurements, energy measurements, and product-quality testing. 

This paper discusses the role that statistics can play In environmental sampling. The primary difference between an Investigation based on statistical considerations and one that Is not Is the degree of objectivity that can be Incorporated Into the evaluation of the quality and uncertainty of the study results. Statistical methods In the planning stage can also aid In optimizing allocation of resources. 

Degree of Precision Required. A statement of the required precision of the results from the sampling effort for each characteristic of Interest is needed to allocate sampling and testing resources efficiently. As previously discussed, the form of these statements will depend on the objective and type of characteristics. The users of the study results must make these determinations. Statistical methods to evaluate tradeoffs and alternatives may be useful in assisting the study administrators in this effort. 

Resource (cost) information can be used in conjunction with the sampling models to obtain an optimum allocation of resources in an environmental sampling study. 

Even If the cost of estimation error cannot be quantified as this model requires, effective allocation of resources may be possible when detailed knowledge of sources of variation Is available. In this case, a replication strategy can be based on variance component and cost Information. For example, consider the problem of deciding how many samples to collect and how many analyses to perform on each sample Let... 

A sample size can be determined and efficient allocation of resources accomplished when the following information is available to the study planner for each characteristic of interest ... 

Figure 12.5 depicts an abstraction of the production schedule for the sample plant, expressed by process order steps allocated to resources over the time scale. The small arrows represent the receipt and issue elements that are directly related to the process order. The large arrows represent material flows that cross the balance area (i.e., they have either a source or a target outside of the organizational unit considered, e.g., purchase orders and sales orders). 

Minimum Cost. Fixed Variance. Since our interest was focused on estimation error, we may choose to set the error in advance and allocate sampling and analysis resources to minimize cost. The mathematical problem to be solved is... 

While sample documentation and tracking protocols, as well as QA/QC procedures, have been in place and in effect for many years, their application is tailored to the needs and resources of each individual project, with some exploratory or field-feedback studies requiring much less verification than other regulatory or complaint series. Flexibility in experimental design is imperative if a facet of an investigation is to be completed in accordance with its significance and allocated resources. However, since several of our programs are potentially answerable to GLP s, it was deemed important that the laboratories current level of compliance be established so as to accurately measure the full fiscal and scientific impact to be felt if we should attempt to institute a formal GLP structure. 

Gy has developed a way to quantify the CH, the DH, and the variance of the FE. By estimating these quantities, we can assess the impact they have on the total sampling variation. This is important if we want to see how best to allocate our resources to improve our sampling results. 

Apart from using objectives to allocate sampling stations, other factors such as size of aquatic source and available resources must enter the selection scheme so that a reasonable degree of optimization can be achieved. Resources may be allocated on the... 

Step 2—Random Sampling. The sampling can be performed in conjunction with other routine job functions, without additional allocation of resources. 

Step 2— The sampling can be performed in conjunction with other routine job functions, without additional allocation of resources. In the analysed enterprise, the sampling has been done by monitoring the safety conditions of the Transmissions department, during 19 work-shifts. 

Work may be allocated among specific instruments, analysts or support groups. This is done to match the test requirements to appropriately skilled analysts and equipment and ensure the best utilization of resources. The differing priority levels of samples received in a laboratory can also be accommodated in this step. When work is allocated, it is recorded in LIMS so that it can generate work lists for the analysts and instruments. LIMS can often make default assignments automatically. In other cases, analysts simply check out the next pending sample from the queue in LIMS. In a research or problem-solving area, this may not be recorded in a LIMS until the results are entered. 

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