How to Create a New Method

Methods must be created and approved before they can be added to sample types (items).  This tutorial will cover information on how to create a simple method with single and multiple parameters.

1. Add a New Method

  1. Click on Main Menu Button
  2. Click on "Static Data"
  3. Click on "Methods"
  4. Click on "Add New"
  1. This is the "Add New" button that can be clicked directly from the Method Manager screen.

2. Method Identifying Information

  1. Enter Method Name (Yellow highlighted field: Required)
  2. Select Method Instrument, by clicking on the blue text link and selecting from list (When Applicable)
  3. Enter Method Description: Usually contains a little more description then method name, but can also just be the same as method name.
  4. Click "Save" button to save

Instrument field can be useful when running LIMS report to figure out utilization of lab equipment.  Methods must be made where they use a single instrument.  If analysis of one property can be done using different instruments, method names should contain instrument name.  

Example: Tin can be analyzed using an ICP-OES or XRF instrument. In LIMS two methods should be created and named: "Tin ICP-OES" and "Tin XRF".  This is important because when user is picking a method to attach to an item, they will not see instrument attached to that method, just method name.  

When method is created for a property copied from Raw Material Certificate of Analysis, Instrument should be "Read and Record".  If instrument is not on the list it must be created following tutorial "How to Create a New Instrument"

3. Automatically Populated Fields

  1. Status field is automatically updated by the system.
    • N: New - Recently created and not completed
    • A: Approved - Approved by user and ready to used in an Item
    • H: Hold - Has been unapproved by user and cannot be used in an Item
    • O: Obsolete - Has been revised the newest version can be used in an Item, older versions are maintained for audit purposes.
  2. Expand the "Method Other" Section by pressing on the arrows down
  3. Fields in this section are automatically populated to show Unique ID and revision number.  Also shows who created the method and when it was created.  When a sample is approved this section will show who approved the method and when.

4. Adding Parameters to a Method

  1. Expand "Method Parameters" Section
  2. Click "Add New" button
  3. Type in Parameter Name
  4. Click "OK"
  5. Type in Parameter Description
  6. Click on [...] to select units form a list (If unable to find necessary units these can be created following "How to Create a New Unit" tutorial
  7. Put in a value for decimal precision.  How many units after the decimal point to show
  8. Rounding Rule: when left blank conventional rounding rule is used
  9. Print Flag: is the parameter internal or shown on CoA? When box is checked the parameter is shown on the CoA, when box is left unchecked parameter is internal
  10. Click on the Save button to create the parameter record
  11. When additional parameters need to be added click on "Add New" button and perform steps 2-10 again for each parameter.

Following columns have their own tutorials:

  • LDL and UDL: How to Set-up Detection Limits
  • Calculation: How to Set-up Calculations  
  • Test Procedure Name and Test Procedure Link: How to Set-up C-Pro Method Links

Parameter Name field is kept internal, but the Description is shown on the CoA.  Whenever a parameter is proprietary write name in the Parameter Name field because that field is only visible to laboratory users, and a generic name for "Description" field such as "Compound A" into description which is shown on the CoA.

5. Approving a New Method

  1. Click the "thumbs up" button to approve the method.
  2. Click "OK" to continue
  3. Status changed to "A"
  4. Audit trail populated the Approved by and Approved on fields in section "Method Other"

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