When trying to improve laboratory efficiency, many teams focus on revising experimental procedures or introducing new equipment.
However, a surprising amount of time can also be lost outside the experiment itself.
A pipette may not be where it is expected to be. The required pipette tips may be out of stock. Similar-looking tubes or labware may be stored together, making it difficult to identify the correct item quickly.
Each interruption may take only a few minutes, but when it happens repeatedly, the lost time can affect the overall progress of laboratory work.
In this article, we introduce five practical ways to improve labware management and make daily laboratory operations more efficient.
1. Assign a Fixed Storage Location for Each Item
The first area to review is where laboratory equipment and consumables are stored.
When pipettes, pipette tips, tubes, racks, and other items do not have clearly assigned locations, laboratory personnel must search for them each time they are needed.
Problems can also occur when an item is returned to a different location after use, making it difficult for other team members to find.
Storage locations should be organized not only by product category, but also by frequency of use and stage of the experimental workflow.
For example, frequently used items can be stored close to the workbench, while less frequently used supplies can be placed in a separate storage area.
Separating items by volume, size, or application can also help prevent selection errors.
The goal is to arrange supplies according to how they are actually used in the laboratory.
2. Standardize Labels
Even when supplies are neatly organized, inconsistent labeling can make it difficult to identify the correct item quickly.
Shelves, drawers, storage boxes, and racks should use clear and consistent labels that can be understood by everyone in the laboratory.
Depending on the item, useful label information may include:
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Product name
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Volume or size
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Intended application
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Sterile or non-sterile status
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Date opened
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Expiration date
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Person responsible for inventory management
Standardizing both the format and the information shown on each label helps laboratory personnel locate and identify supplies without relying on one specific team member.
A good management system should be understandable to anyone who uses the laboratory.
3. Set Clear Inventory and Reordering Rules
Effective labware management also requires clear inventory control.
A vague rule such as “reorder when stock is running low” can be interpreted differently by each person.
This can result in stockouts, delayed experiments, or duplicate orders placed by multiple team members.
To avoid these problems, laboratories can set a minimum stock level or a specific reorder point for each frequently used item.
For example, a laboratory may decide to reorder a product when only two unopened boxes remain.
For high-use consumables, tracking average usage over a set period can also make it easier to estimate future order quantities and purchasing schedules.
Clear reorder rules help ensure that inventory decisions are based on an agreed standard rather than individual judgment.
4. Group Frequently Used Supplies by Workflow
When laboratory personnel need to collect supplies from several different storage areas before starting an experiment, preparation can take longer than expected.
One way to reduce this time is to group frequently used items according to the experiment or workflow in which they are used.
Pipette tips, tubes, racks, and other commonly required supplies can be stored together in a tray, drawer, or dedicated workstation area.
Keeping the necessary items in one location can reduce preparation time and help prevent forgotten supplies or incomplete setups.
However, not every shared item needs to be assigned exclusively to one workflow.
It is important to balance convenience with efficient use of shared inventory. Laboratories should consider usage frequency, available stock, and the needs of other team members when deciding which supplies should be grouped together.
5. Review Management Rules Regularly
Labware management systems should not remain unchanged indefinitely.
As new products are introduced or experimental procedures change, a storage layout that once worked well may become less practical.
Management rules can also become too complicated over time, creating additional work instead of improving efficiency.
Laboratory teams should periodically review questions such as:
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Are team members still spending time looking for supplies?
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Have stockouts or duplicate orders occurred?
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Are labels clear and easy to understand?
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Are items being returned to the correct locations?
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Have the management rules become unnecessarily complicated?
Feedback from the people who use the supplies every day is especially valuable.
A system is more likely to remain effective when it is easy to understand, practical to follow, and regularly adjusted to match actual laboratory operations.
Small Improvements Can Make Laboratory Work More Efficient
Improving experimental efficiency is not only about equipment performance or experimental procedures.
The way everyday laboratory supplies are stored, identified, and replenished can also have a significant impact on daily workflow.
When supplies are easy to locate and inventory shortages can be identified in advance, laboratories can reduce small but repeated delays before and after experiments.
Start by observing how much time is spent looking for labware, checking inventory, and preparing the workspace.
There is no need to change everything at once.
Assigning one storage location, standardizing labels, or setting a clear reorder point can be a practical first step toward creating a more organized and efficient laboratory environment.
WATSON offers a range of laboratory products, including pipette tips, tubes, and racks, designed to support everyday laboratory work.
When reviewing your laboratory setup and supply management practices, selecting products that match your workflow can also help make daily operations easier and more consistent.