Instructions:

During this term our class explored numerous challenges faced by organizations. These challenges may be caused by technology, competitors, government, customers etc. These challenges can only be resolved when alignment exists between technology and the business. One tool we discussed this term is data flow diagramming (DFD). DFDs are used to create an aligned understand regarding how processes are executed, who is executing them and where/how data is stored.

Following is a write up of an actual set of processes which I was required to document in

order to propose options to create efficiency. Your task is to read the narration and draw a DFD

which visualizes the processes being described.

Requirements:

1. Proper use of DFD symbols

2. Context Diagram

3. Level One Diagram (You may go to lower levels of detail, but this is not required)

4. Appropriate labeling

Executive Summary

Revised: 7/19/2020 5:10 PM

CLINSCI-LAB is a small laboratory specializing in endocrinology testing. The company has a golden reputation in terms of test accuracy, test sensitivity, timeliness and data insight. CLINSCI-LAB is the go to laboratory for testing conducted on premature children. The companys reputation has earned them a place on the clinical trials short list of large bio-tech companies such as Amgen, Eli-Lily and Pfizer. This market will significantly increase the volumes of samples, testing on samples, storage/retrieval requirements, reporting and data access. Management is very sensitive to the importance of the firms reputation not only to their growth plans but to their continued survival.

Sample Processing - Arrival

Patient samples arrive throughout the day via an internal courier network, UPS and FEDEX. These samples are delivered to the Accessioning Department for initial processing. Since arrival is intermittent throughout the day, there are two batches processed each day. The morning batch is closed at 11:00am (PT). Samples assigned to the morning batch will be included in all test assays being setup in the current day. Samples assigned to the afternoon batch will be stored and included in test assays setup the following business day. The accessioning department personnel enter preliminary data into a sample acceptance system (Accessioning System) from the paperwork that comes with the sample. Each sample is assigned an accession number (samples requiring multiple tests are further assigned sub- numbers.

Example:

Revised: 7/19/2020 5:10 PM

A sample arrives for patient John Doe requesting three tests. Note: accession numbers are created using a combination of the current date and a six digit counter that resets each day. In this case, assuming this sample was the first to be entered in the accessioning system, the master accession number assigned would be 20111020000001. The sub tests are captured by associating the master accession number with test identification numbers (six digits). Identification for this sample would be as follows: Master accession id: 20111020000001

Tests: 000001 Test1 000002 Test2 000003 Test3

The samples are sorted (and separated as necessary) into testing facility specific groups and further grouped and racked by assay within each lab. Accession number labels are affixed to each vial. There are three testing facilities (Steroid, Peptide, and Chemistry Panel) within CLINSCI. The paperwork is sent to Data Entry where each samples patient data is enriched with more robust patient specific information including free text commentary. Once data enrichment for the current batch is complete a data log is printed. The log is separated equally between four pairs of personnel. These teams verify the information on the paperwork that arrived with the samples matches what was entered into the system. Once errors are resolved the batch is closed, assay inventory sheets are generated and delivered, with samples, to refrigerator units in each of the three labs.