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  SERVICES OF AiCon Inc.

Laboratory design and development projects are more than just changing bricks and mortar. "Change" requires creative energy from AiCon and from You, the client. It is typical in a project such as this that multiple stakeholders need to be aligned. They usually include Laboratory Management and Faculty, Hospital Administration, School of Medicine, Unions, Facility Planners and Purchasing, Information Technology groups, Equipment vendors, Architects, General Contractor and trades and others. Laboratory leadership and project management is required to build a coalition between these multiple stakeholders. If achieved, the outcomes result in experiential growth of people, business processes, and technology applications. The Laboratory Design Development Project includes four (5) distinct phases:

CONCEPT DESIGN PHASE (1) - aligns the mission, vision and goals with the futures of lab medicine, while addressing process and workflow design using Lean, Six Sigma and Constraint Theory Tools, technology and automation components. During this phase, assessment of automation solutions is undertaken. The output for this phase is a Program Plan, Schematic Plan and Business Case (if required).

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE (2) - area-specific design groups and AiCon will focus on 'detail' work area diagrams and, in conjunction with the architects, create 'as build schematics'. To achieve this, the design working groups need to understand the concept of workflow design and workflow mapping to optimize the positioning and utility of technology and the application of manpower and expertise. This is fundamental to understanding and planning work area layouts, to ensure work performance and long-term flexibility. The output for the phase is Workflow maps, Construction Documents, Schematic drawings and an Automation Solution(s) (if warranted).

CONSTRUCTION and BUILD PHASE (3) - the general contractors and architects are busy building and fitting-out of the laboratory according to the design and construction documents. This phase finalizes equipment, casework, telecommunications and information hardware.

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE (4) - the laboratory and AiCon focus on the planning, installation, testing, implementation and commissioning of the new facility. It is similar to Phase 2, in that this is a highly integrative phase and involves multiple vendors. The work requires an integrated project management approach with a solid laboratory focus. The area-specific design groups will reform into implementation groups that reflect the flow for the new facility. The work includes a 'planning' phase and a 'doing' phase.

POST-IMPLEMENTATION PHASE (5) - 3-6 months after implementation, AiCon will review actual to 'planned' outcomes.

Workflow optimization is used within design and development projects but also to improve overall operating performance of the laboratory. AiCon uses various tools and techniques to ensure that every activity is suitably explored. In designing a facility, strong attention is paid to process, technology, people and information. These are the 'AiCon headlines' for laboratory design. Lean, 6-Sigma, Constraint theory and the futures of laboratory medicine are approaches that are used to ensure due diligence is paid to the 'current' in the design of the 'future'. Many tools are used by the AiCon consultants throughout the process to develop and document this journey.

AiCon has experience in working closely with the Architects and Contractors on its various projects. AiCon has the unique ability to speak 'laboratory' and 'contractor' language enabling us to translate the lab needs into the phraseology understood by architects and contractors, who perhaps do not have previous experience in building laboratories, by translating questions so that the laboratory can be build to the appropriate specifications. AiCon manages the 'Master' Equipment List and develops the specification sheets binders. During the construction phase AiCon participates in the weekly construction meetings. These are valuable sessions as AiCon is able to identify where issues may arise and consequently initiate proactive actions to prevent possible delays to the project. The relationship with the Architects and Contractors is critical and collaboration and responsiveness is a must to ensure the smooth implementation of the build and install plans for the new laboratory. Our experience has been most positive in this area.

Laboratories that improve performance by redevelopment, new design, automation or workflow optimization need to demonstrate performance characterization. The AiCon database and published operating parameters are used to demonstrate changes to operating performance.

AiCon Inc provides consulting expertise and contracting - coordination, as well as management advice on those tough laboratory management issues.		  
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