Bench Scale Pilot Scale Commercial Scale
Characteristics
  • One or more experiment stations
  • Bench or glove-box size
  • One or two experimenters
  • Investment up to $100K
  • Focus on confirming technology or process
  • Includes build, operate, revise
  • Owned, leased, or host space
  • Small team of technology specialists
  • Investment $100K to $2M
  • Focus on safe + economical scale up
  • Includes build and early production
  • Permanent space or long term lease
  • Full staffing plan
  • Investment of $1M and up
  • Focus on construction and production
Prerequisites
  • Project Charter and success criteria
  • Prelim. R&D done and shared with team
  • Investment plan for all Stages
  • Identify IP protection needs
  • Resources are aligned
  • Bench Scale success proven
  • Bench Scale issues addressed
  • Investment Plan has continued support
  • Goals and success criteria defined
  • Resources ready for extended operations
  • Pilot or Bench Scale success achieved
  • Complete data package ready
  • Investment plan supported
  • Commercial Scale reporting plan done
  • All material logistics in place
Activities and Goals
  • PDCA methodology of experiments
  • Stakeholder Communication Plan
  • Focus activities to support Project Charter
  • Gather evidence of success
  • Complete Lessons Learned
  • Design, build, operate new pilot system
  • Nurture new and existing stakeholders
  • ID early adopters for Commercial Scale
  • Begin Product Marketing Plan
  • Complete Lessons Learned
  • Design, build, operate production system
  • Production plan closely monitored
  • Cater to early adopters to gather feedback
  • Gather production and Q/C feedback
  • Monitor and report on production costs
Resources
  • Main innovator very involved
  • “All Hands on Deck” attitude
  • Identify/Secure 3rdparty resources
  • Bench Scale facility requirements
  • Funding for operating, decommissioning, and disposition of waste
  • Resources for extended operations/activities
  • Confirm 3rdparty resources and raw materials
  • Pilot Scale facility requirements
  • Secure competent resources
  • ID org. resources including production and maintenance
  • Secure funding for all facets of this stage
  • Commercial Scale facility requirements
Risks
  • Establish and use Risk Register
  • Monitor expenses vs. budget
  • Evaluate safety risks for novel processing
  • Stick to Stakeholder Communication Plan
  • Have reserves for cleanup or deviations
  • Use proper Hazard Assessment Techniques
  • Secure good documentation in all areas
  • Use Change Management Process
  • Protect IP with procedures and documents
  • Agree on production limits of this scale
  • Use proven methods for Project Approach
  • Risk identification expands to supply chain, competition, early adopters
  • Start maintenance and sustaining plans
  • Invest in sales, marketing, early adopters
Stakeholder Needs
  • Well documented success criteria
  • Convey risks and mitigation plans
  • Utilize Project Charter for alignment
  • Report frequently on expenses and results
  • Educate on CEI/IFCI process
  • Well documented success criteria
  • Continue risk awareness activities
  • Report frequently on schedule, expenses, results both positive and negative
  • Well documented success criteria
  • Utilize expanded Stakeholder Communication Plan
  • Report according to Commercial Scale Reporting Plan

Contact us or call us at 717-235-5469 to find out more in-depth information regarding our chemical innovation services.