ABSTRACT
The adoption of a new, rapid microbiological method has many advantages. Increased accuracy and precision are often associated with instrument-based methods, because instruments reduce operator error and provide automation. In addition, rapid methods often offer huge financial savings to an organization. However, the enthusiasm to implement a new method can come to an abrupt end when the dreaded validation word looms large. This chapter is designed as a simple guide to bringing any of the exciting new methods described elsewhere in this book onstream in your company. It may be overly simplistic to those with experience in validation as it is aimed at those trying to change a microbiology method for the first time.
