Lab Management Responsibilities

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A lab manager is responsible for the following types of tasks:

  • Procuring hardware and software.

  • Managing network taps and server capacity and configurations.

  • Managing hardware and software configurations and updates.

  • Coordinating testing among subteams (who tests what and when).
    If tests require server or client computer configuration changes, the changes need to be scheduled and communicated to the other lab users.

  • Developing and monitoring the change control process.
    The change control process defines who is allowed to make changes to the lab environment.

  • Maintaining lab documentation (such as lab descriptions, diagrams, and processes).

  • Establishing physical security.
    The lab manager takes measures to prevent unauthorized use of lab equipment and manages lab access with keys or electronic locks.

  • Setting up an inventory control system.

  • Establishing a lab budget for support costs.

  • Labeling hardware, including cabling.

  • Resolving environmental problems.

  • Implementing a preventative maintenance program for equipment.

  • Establishing an approval process for removing any equipment (borrowing, for example).

  • Making periodic server backups.

  • Ensuring the lab is kept clean and orderly.

Ultimately, a lab manager is responsible for making the lab as usable and flexible as possible. All of the processes designed to accomplish these tasks should facilitate, not inhibit, use of the lab.