Proficiency testing is used to determine the performance of a laboratory's measurement and test capability compared to one or more other laboratories. When a laboratory participates in a proficiency testing scheme, many factors determine the outcome of a laboratory’s performance. These include the personnel, equipment, method used and the environment the measurement was conducted in.

Laboratories often participate in a proficiency testing scheme because it is either required by their customer or more often the laboratory's accrediting body requires that it participate in one. If the laboratory or the individual is not aware of the various methods and analyses involved in the comparison of Proficiency testing data, it may not be able to interpret if its performance is in par with other laboratories involved in the program or what it needs to do to improve.

This training module covers the necessary information required by the laboratory management personnel to conduct better measurement assurance program within their own laboratory so its outcome on proficiency testing is improved. It provides information on the interpretation of proficiency testing data published by the proficiency testing providers. It ensures that the laboratory will be able to provide intelligent explanation of its proficiency testing results to its customers and to also question results provided by the proficiency testing provider when there is doubt.

Content
- BONUS!! PROFICIENCY TESTING CALCULATOR TOOL INCLUDED!! -

   • Introduction to Proficiency Testing
   • Justification for Proficiency Testing participation
   • Standards associated with Proficiency Testing
   • Basic Statistics in Proficiency Testing
   • Measurement Uncertainty Considerations in Proficiency Testing
   • Proficiency Testing schemes (with examples for testing and calibration laboratories)
   • Proficiency Testing Data Interpretation and Analysis (with examples)
   • Simple implementation of Measurement Assurance Programs (MAP) within the laboratory

Measurement Uncertainty (this is not a full treatment, just an intro in context)
   • Definitions (in context) of measures of measurement reliability and quality
   • Accuracy
   • Precision
   • Resolution
   • Repeatability and Reproducibility
   • Traceability
   • How do these definitions fit with specifications and tolerances?
   • Special cases: floor specs, % of full scale vs % of reading, ppm, values near zero
   • Calculation of measurement uncertainty – budgets
   • Converting specifications and tolerances to uncertainty
   • Practice calculating

Material is covered in an easy to understand format with basic math and statistics topics introduced as required. Examples are included to familiarize the trainee when a new topic is introduced. The module includes questions for self-testing and comprehension of topics covered. Self-test scores and Certificates are reported upon completion of training.

A spreadsheet template with examples covered in training is included for references and future implementation of data analysis.