A summary of the process from when the decision is made to set up a QAP to the time a report is produced and distributed to participants involves not only planning, research, evaluation and validation, but the actual process of designing, manufacturing, distributing the panel then collecting, collating and analysing the results and sending out a report. Appropriate feedback to the laboratories requires consideration of the overall results and includes designing the subsequent QAP.

The steps involved include:

1. Forwarding an initial questionnaire to determine which tests are used by prospective participants and other information. Seeking potential participants
2. Panel preparation
3. Panel distribution.
4. Results are collected from each laboratory
5. Preliminary report containing reference results is sent.
6. Once all results are received these are collated and analysed
7. Final report is forwarded to the participant
8. Adminstration
9. QAP Certificates