Strategic planning for bioanalytical automation: managing growth successfully

Bioanalytical automation expanded at Glaxo Inc. from 1987 to1991 by cycling through periods of justification, planning,implementation, obstacle-jumping and success, which justifiedcontinued cycling. In 1990 it became evident that the technology andits growth needed to be planned and the resources had to bemanaged. A Strategic Plan was researched and prepared. The plandescribes the mission, values, goals and structure of the BioanalyticalAutomation Group and the most important requirements forachieving those planned goals, including: (1) Long-term managementcommitment; (2) Trained, dedicated personnel; (3) Qualityfacilities; (4) Teamwork; and (5) Investment in automationcompatibleequipment. The strategic plan has been in effect for overa year; current status, history, and the future are discussed in this article.