Checklist

ELN & LIMS Evaluation Checklist

A structured, weighted evaluation checklist for ELN and LIMS selection. Score core capability areas on a consistent 1–5 scale, capture qualitative notes, set weights by priority, and calculate a weighted score to compare vendors objectively. Includes guidance on scoring, example weights, and next-step recommendations.

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ELN & LIMS Evaluation Checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate candidate ELN and LIMS products against the capabilities that matter most to your lab. Score each category on a scale from 1 (does not meet needs) to 5 (excellent fit). Assign a weight to each category to reflect its relative importance (suggested total = 100). Compute a weighted score as: (sum of (score × weight)) / (sum of weights). Capture notes to justify scores and record risks or integration needs.

Scoring tips: Be realistic and comparative: a 3 indicates an acceptable baseline; use 4–5 only when the product demonstrably saves time, reduces risk, or avoids costly workarounds. Prefer evidence: demo tasks, API test responses, sample exports, and vendor references.

Who completed this evaluation
YYYY-MM-DD
Does the system support the entities and metadata your workflows need? (custom fields, controlled vocabularies, structured results)
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 15)
Example schemas, limitations, mapping concerns, sample export formats
Quality of APIs, webhooks, SDKs, and ease of integrating with instruments, LIMS, ELN, and analytics pipelines
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 15)
Authentication methods, API rate limits, example endpoints tested, middleware needs
Role-based access, encryption, auditability, 21 CFR Part 11 or other required compliance features
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 15)
Controls, validation documentation, certifications, e-signature behavior
Ease of use for scientists, out-of-the-box workflows, templates, and ergonomics for typical tasks
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 10)
User roles tested, feedback from intended users, training requirements
Completeness and readability of audit logs, versioning, chain of custody
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 10)
Examples of entries, retention policies, exportability for inspections
Searchability, saved queries, reporting capabilities, built-in dashboards or export flexibility
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 10)
Sample reports, data export formats, BI compatibility
Responsiveness, implementation services, roadmap alignment, reference checks
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 10)
Implementation timeline, training, SLA, customer success model
Cloud vs on-prem options, offline data capture, resilience for low-connectivity labs
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 5)
Provisioning, backup, disaster recovery plans
Licensing, implementation, recurring fees, integration and change-management costs
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 10)
Quotes, assumptions, hidden costs, required third-party tools
Ease of exporting and importing historical records, mapping complexity, vendor lock-in risk
1.0 10.0
Relative importance (suggested default 5)
Sample export, data model mapping notes, previous migration experience
Is this product recommended for pilot/rollout based on the evaluation?
Summarize strengths, major gaps, mitigation actions, and proposed pilot scope
Compute as (sum of score × weight) / (sum of weights). Enter the result here.
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