Management attitudes in laboratory automation projects and quality programmes

For laboratory automation and quality schemes to succeed, there must be management commitment to the project. To get significant improvements in laboratory performance, critical changes are needed which require open-minded and team approaches. Unless this happens, the project will fail. This paper explores the reasons why older style managers fail to support these projects. Radical changes in management are proposed; from direction to teamwork and commitment; from power to delegated authority and empowerment. This already happens in the leading companies, but many organisations have older management styles which should change.