Laboratory Quality Control and Control Charts

Programme Summary

Use laboratory quality control data to detect deterioration before unreliable results reach customers. Participants design control arrangements, select materials and construct appropriate charts for routine testing. Exercises develop statistically sound warning and action rules, distinguish investigation triggers from specification limits, and translate trends into documented responses that protect the validity of laboratory results.

Training Objectives

1 Design risk based laboratory control arrangements; 2 Select suitable control materials and frequencies; 3 Interpret variation using appropriate control charts; 4 Respond proportionately to adverse control signals; 5 Strengthen documented evidence of result validity.

Learning Outcomes

1 Prepare a laboratory quality control plan; 2 Calculate baseline control chart limits; 3 Interpret shifts trends and unusual results; 4 Select justified investigation and containment actions; 5 Document a control failure recovery decision.

Target Audience

Laboratory Analysts; Section Supervisors; Quality Control Chemists; Technical Managers; Laboratory Quality Officers.

Target Industries

Independent Testing Laboratories; Calibration Laboratories; Food Testing Laboratories; Environmental Testing Laboratories; Materials Testing Laboratories; Industrial Quality Laboratories.

Course Contents

• Module 1 Quality Control Strategy: Measurement risks and intended result use; Internal controls and external assurance links; Control frequencies and acceptance responsibilities.
• Module 2 Control Materials and Replicates: Blanks spikes duplicates and reference materials; Matrix concentration and stability considerations; Independent controls and contamination prevention.
• Module 3 Establishing Baseline Data: Stable data collection and review; Mean standard deviation and uncertainty; Investigating abnormal baseline observations.
• Module 4 Control Chart Selection: Individual mean and range charts; Precision recovery and blank monitoring; Appropriate charts for differing data types.
• Module 5 Limits and Decision Rules: Control limits versus specification limits; Warning action rules and false alarms; Documented rule selection and consistency.
• Module 6 Interpreting Laboratory Signals: Shifts trends and excessive variation; Instrument reagent and operator influences; Recognising insufficient or nonindependent evidence.
• Module 7 Investigation and Recovery: Stopping affected work and assessing impact; Cause investigation and corrective measures; Evidence for resuming result release.
• Module 8 Control Plan Workshop: Building and interpreting a laboratory chart; Drafting a control failure response; Reviewing effectiveness and ongoing monitoring.

Assessment

• 40 single best answer questions, including applied scenarios; one mark per question.
• 60 minute invigilated digital examination with identity verification. Approved accessibility adjustments preserve the assessed competence.
• Supplied reference pack and calculator permitted; external internet and AI prohibited.
• Individual applied assessment (30 minutes): Construct a control chart, interpret a supplied signal and document the investigation, result impact review and criteria for restoring routine testing.
• Assessment criteria: Appropriate chart and limit selection; Correct interpretation of control evidence; Proportionate investigation and recovery decisions.
• Pass each component separately: 30/40 written marks (75%) and at least 70% on the applied task.
• Individual results and feedback are provided. One reassessment may follow coaching under the published enrolment terms.

Certification

• Successful learners receive a TQCSI Arabia digital Certificate of Successful Completion.
• The certificate records the learner name, exact programme title, teaching hours, completion date and unique verification reference.
• Verified identity, full attendance and separate written and applied passes are required; all mandatory critical criteria must be met.
• Proposed issue target: within 30 calendar days of approved results and settlement of applicable fees.
• Records laboratory quality control planning and interpretation skills; technical release authority remains defined by the employing laboratory.
• Attendance confirmation may record completed hours for unsuccessful learners; it does not certify successful completion.

Programme Profile

Number of daysNumber of daysNumber of days

222

Total teaching hoursTotal teaching hoursTotal teaching hours

12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.

Delegates allowedDelegates allowedDelegates allowed

Maximum 16 delegates.Maximum 16 delegates.Maximum 16 delegates.

Training prerequisitesTraining prerequisitesTraining prerequisites

Routine laboratory experience and basic statistics are required. Participants should understand the test processes represented by their quality control data.Routine laboratory experience and basic statistics are required. Participants should understand the test processes represented by their quality control data.Routine laboratory experience and basic statistics are required. Participants should understand the test processes represented by their quality control data.

Pre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessment

Complete a 25-minute review of a control dataset and identify potential patterns without deleting results.Complete a 25-minute review of a control dataset and identify potential patterns without deleting results.Complete a 25-minute review of a control dataset and identify potential patterns without deleting results.

End of course assessmentEnd of course assessmentEnd of course assessment

40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).

Passing criteriaPassing criteriaPassing criteria

75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance.