# Testing

> Follow the project's lab testing schedules and chain of custody.

The **Testing** area shows the laboratory side of the project - the **testing
schedules** raised against it and the **chain of custody** records that track
samples to the lab. Two tabs hold the detail.

## Schedules

The **Schedules** tab lists testing schedules, each with its reference, sample and
test counts, and **status**. Statuses use the project team's own names - the standard
ones (*Awaiting start*, *In progress*, *Completed*, *Cancelled*, *Not received*,
*Not required* or *Restricted*) and the stages of the lab journey, such as *Samples
picked*, *Collected* or *Results received*.

## Chain of custody

The **Chain of custody** tab lists custody records, each with its reference,
sample count and **status** - *Draft*, *Issued*, *Received* or *Complete*.

## Creating records

You can **view** testing for the project at any time. If the project team has given
you the permission, you can also **create** records here - a **New schedule** or
**New CoC** button appears on the relevant tab. Otherwise the area is read-only.

To build a schedule, add a **PO reference**, pick the lab (its default tests are
added for you, and you can remove them), then pick samples and tick tests. A new
schedule always starts at the first status; the project team moves it on and records
its progress. **Hide scheduled** in the sample picker
hides samples already on another schedule. Samples the project team has flagged
**Handle with care** show a red tag with their note - you can see it but not change
it.

Some of the lab side stays with the project team and is not shown here: a schedule's
status and progress (stage dates, the lab's receipt and any receipt issue), marking
samples missing, files attached to schedules and chains of custody, tubes coming back
from the lab, and sample retention and disposal.

When you build a schedule or CoC, you'll only see the **laboratories the project
team has shared with you** - not necessarily their whole list. If no lab appears
in the picker, they haven't shared any with you yet; ask them to add one to your
access.