Computer System Validation Training Course (ONLINE) – for when you need your staff to be confident and competent at CSV

Whether your department has an audit looming, your trusted “CSV person” just handed quit, or you have a project that urgently needs computer system validation and no-one to do it, this program is what you need to take your team member(s) from beginner(s) to confident advanced level CSV professional(s).

In short:

They’ll learn how to manage electronic data in a regulated manufacturing/laboratory/clinical environment in compliance with FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 (Computer Software Assurance), EU Annex 11 or other regulatory guidelines using the GAMP framework. They’ll be taught the process used to test, validate and formally document that a regulated GxP computerized system application does exactly what it is designed to do.

This means they will be able to:

  • Successfully plan and complete CSV projects within your business
  • Ask informed questions of consulting firms, vendors and suppliers
  • Confidently take control of the CSV elements in preparation for your next audit
  • Be able to command higher hourly rates for contract work
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Computer System Validation Training Course (ONLINE) – for when you need your staff to be confident and competent at CSV

Whether your department has an audit looming, your trusted “CSV person” just handed quit, or you have a project that urgently needs computer system validation and no-one to do it, this program is what you need to take your team member(s) from beginner(s) to confident advanced level CSV professional(s).

Online Computer System Validation Training Course

In short:

They’ll learn how to manage electronic data in a regulated manufacturing/laboratory/clinical environment in compliance with FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 (Computer Software Assurance), EU Annex 11 or other regulatory guidelines using the GAMP framework. They’ll be taught the process used to test, validate and formally document that a regulated GxP computerized system application does exactly what it is designed to do.

This means they will be able to:

  • Successfully plan and complete CSV projects within your business
  • Ask informed questions of consulting firms, vendors and suppliers
  • Confidently take control of the CSV elements in preparation for your next audit
  • Be able to command higher hourly rates for contract work

Our learners work for the world’s biggest pharma and medical device companies

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Our graduates work for the world’s biggest pharma and medical device companies

Pfizer Logo

AstraZenega Logo

Novartis Logo

Lilly Logo

Roche Logo

Amgen Logo

Sanofi Logo

GSK Logo

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Key practical information:

  • Typically delivered as 12hrs/week for 10 weeks – BUT a fast track option can be chosen to meet your more urgent business needs (this involves delivery of the full program over a shorter timescale, with full support from our course delivery team)
  • Fully flexible online schedule – all learning can be done at a time and place that suits each participant. There are NO in-person elements and NO fixed class times
  • Each learner is given a dedicated course leader who checks in with their progress and follows up at the end of every week. This greatly increases the likelihood of a learner sticking to their schedule and finishing the program when expected
  • Your team can join 3010 learners

Why choose GetReskilled for your CSV training?

We are an award winning specialist training provider for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries and we have a 10-year track record of delivering this specific program ONLINE.

We’re not interested in delivering short, surface-level CSV training – the type where everyone gathers in a hotel for a day or two.

We believe that detailed course materials that can be revisited time and time again, alongside worked examples and an assignment that truly puts what’s been taught into practice, is the best way to equip professionals with the skills and confidence they need to take on CSV responsibilities within this regulated industry.

For more information about our team and our company, visit our About Us page.

This course is right for your team if…

  • They work with regulated data and have to ensure that at least one of the following GxP computerized system applications is in compliance with regulatory guidelines such as 21 CFR Part 11.

    • Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
    • Clinical Trial Monitoring Systems
    • PLC for Controlled Packaging Equipment
    • Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
    • Distributed Control System (DCS)
    • Chromatography Data System (CDS)
    • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
    • Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
    • Batch Record System
    • Building Management Systems (BMS)
    • Cloud base software services
    • Spreadsheets
  • They work in validation, automation or instrumentation and you want to extend their role (or your consultancy’s offer) into Computer System Validation projects.

Specifically, your team will learn…

  • The key FDA and international regulations (EudraLex Volume 4 — Annex 11, ICH, WHO) and guidance regarding CSV and which apply to your company
  • How the CSV process fits into the Software Life Cycle and the purpose of each validation deliverable
  • The principles of software quality assurance and how to manage the auditors’ expectations around its key components
  • The software validation life cycle from design, through construction, installation, and live start-up
  • The regulations governing the use of electronic records and signatures in a regulated environment.
  • The methodology and implementation model for a risk-based approach to CSV

Learners all produce a number of deliverables throughout the course, including…

  • Determine the end-user supplier activities during the lifecycle of a computerized system
  • Identifying where they would use risk-based decision-making throughout the lifecycle of a computerized system
  • Preparing a configuration management process flow diagram and identifying where to use change control
  • Defining the content of typical logs and accompanying records for both incident management and corrective and preventive action (CAPA)
  • Completion of 8-question booklets (one for every week of content) that summarise what was learned that week, to ensure they retain and understand the information

They will also write a 6,000-word technical report on a GxP computerized system application relevant to your business.

They will outline the following:

  1. Identify and describe typical business and GMP functions
  2. Schematically represent typical architectural components
  3. Describe a general approach to achieving compliance and fitness for intended use over the entire lifecycle.
    1. Concept
    2. Project
    3. Operation
    4. Retirement

This report will demonstrate:

  1. Their understanding of how the electronic data from the system is managed to make sure it is transparent, robust and tamperproof, and that it is stored so that it stands the test of time
  2. That the systems and procedures have been put in place to ensure that nothing crashes, no data is lost and that the necessary ERES considerations have been included

As you can see, the final assignment really does test each learner’s understanding and ability to implement CSV (whether that’s running an in-house project or knowing what questions to ask consulting firms and vendors).

And take the following skills and knowledge back to work…

  • Be able to apply the FDA and international regulations to current projects
  • Use Risk-based decisions when making an assessment to see what software does or does not require validation, ensure critical risks are identified and the correct level of validation is carried out
  • Create key validation deliverables, including validation plans, requirements specifications, test plans, validation tests (IQ, OQ, PQ), trace matrices, test summaries, and validation reports

See Course Price

Minimum Entry Requirements

“You don’t need to be able to write code or have a computer science background to work in computer system validation”

However, participants must have solid experience using at least one GxP computer process and understand its functional layout.

In addition…

This program is highly specialized so they MUST have a solid understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) rules, regulations and guidelines.

AND they are any of the following…

  • Validation Engineer/Specialist or Senior Validation Manager
  • PhD, Masters or Degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Lab/Science, etc
  • Automation, Control/Instrumentation, Process, Chemical, Manufacturing, etc Engineer or Technician
  • Quality Assurance or Quality Control Technician or Specialist
  • Metrology, Maintenance Engineer, Technician or Specialist
  • Front/Backend Developer
  • Not sure if your team member meets the minimum requirements? Chat to our Course Director

NOTE: If they don’t have a solid understanding of GMP rules, regulations and guidelines, they need to start with our 6-Week GMP Training For Beginners in the Pharmaceutical Industry. (There’s a special price reduction for this GMP program if taken together with our CSV course. Contact us for details)

10 Week Class Schedule:

You’ll find full details of the class schedule below.

It’s typically delivered as a 10 week programme with approximately 12 hours of work per week. Each participant receives weekly check-ins with their course coordinator to make sure they’re keeping up with the workload.

BUT a fast track option can be chosen to meet more urgent business needs. This involves delivery of the full program over 10 days with full support and daily check-ins from our course delivery team.

  • 1.1 Drivers for Good Automated Manufacturing Practices
    In this lesson, we learn about the primary drivers behind the issuing of the Good Automated Manufacturing Practices guidance document and its focus.
  • 1.2 Life Cycle Phases of Computerized Systems
    In this lesson, we explore the lifecycle of a computerized system from its early specification to its retirement and upgrade.
  • 1.3 Computerized Systems in Regulated GxP Environments
    The objective of this lesson is to be able to describe a computerized system to a regulatory inspector to demonstrate the system is in control and fit for use.
  • 1.4 Good Automated Manufacturing Practices Software Categories
    In this lesson, we look at ways to categorize computerized system from infrastructural and off-the-shelf software to configurable and bespoke applications.
  • 1.5 Operational Activities
    In this lesson, we take a look at how to maintain a critical computerized system in a state of operational control using standard procedures.
  • 1.6 Handover
    This lesson looks at ways to ensure that the environment into which the computerized system is to be received is prepared, to make sure that the system can be used and supported in a controlled manner.
  • 1.7 Product and Process Understanding
    This lesson makes recommendations about the application of subject matter expertise when supporting lifecycle activities for a computerized system amongst the end-user and the supplier.
  • 1.8 End-User Activities
    This lesson explains the responsibilities of the end-user when it comes to supporting the lifecycle activities for a computerized system.

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.
  • 2.1 Record Anatomy
    In this lesson, we will describe the structure of a record in terms of the arrangement of data elements, and we will also discuss the ‘electronic record lifecycle.
  • 2.2 Records and Signatures required by 21 CFR Part 211 
  • 2.3 PLC Controlled Packaging Equipment
  • 2.4 SupervisoryControlandDataAcquisition(SCADA)
  • 2.5 DataFlowAnalysis
    In this lesson, we look at data flow analysis across systems to reveal where integrity could be compromised as the record lives in various computing environments associated with its creation, use, and retention.
  • 2.6 Example Records and Signatures Required by ICH Q7 

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.
  • 3.1 Supplier Activities
    This lesson explains the responsibilities of the supplier when it comes to supporting the lifecycle activities for a computerized system.
  • 3.2 Validation Planning
    In this lesson, we look at corporate and site level policy documents that define a regulated company’s overall approach to computerized system quality and compliance.
  • 3.3 Science-Based Quality Risk Management
    In this lesson, we look at suggestions about where to apply risk management throughout the lifecycle of a computerized system and how to manage the process for various categories of systems.
  • 3.4 Risk Management Considerations – Generic Hazards
    In this lesson, we look at an approach to conducting risk assessments on computerized systems based on their impact on product quality, patient safety and data integrity. We also list generic hazards for a computerized system associated with physical/environmental conditions, hardware and software, and human-related.
  • 3.5 Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)
    In this lesson, we introduce the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM); an important project document for tracing all user requirements to design specifications and appropriate verification tests.
  • 3.6 Efficiency Improvements (Continuous Improvements)
    In this lesson, we look at suggestions on ways to improve efficiencies throughout the lifecycle of a computerized system.
  • 3.7 Categorization of Laboratory Computerized Systems
    This lesson explains the GAMP® system for categorizing Laboratory Computerized Systems.

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.
  • 4.1 HPLC Systems 
  • 4.2 Chromatography Data Systems (CDS) 
  • 4.3 GxP Records and Signatures Required by 11 CFR Part 820 
  • 4.4 Prerequisites for GERM
  • 4.5 Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) 
  • 4.6 Identify Regulated Records and Signatures
    In this lesson, we describe why only those records required to meet GxP regulations, or submitted to regulators, should be identified as regulated electronic records.
  • 4.7 Electronic Production Records (EPR) 
  • 4.8 Impact Assessment of Electronic Records
    This lesson classifies regulated electronic records as High, Medium, or Low based on an assessment of the potential impact of the record on patient safety or product quality.
  • 4.9 Spreadsheets 

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.
  • 5.1 Organizational Change – Impact During Project Lifecycle
    This lesson looks at various ways to manage projects during episodes of major organizational changes.
  • 5.2 Outsourced IS/IT Environment
    Here we look at the contract considerations when we choose to outsource control of our IS/IT systems to a third-party vendor.
  • 5.3 I T Compliance – Key Concepts, and Infrastructure Elements
    In this lesson, we look at ways to standardize our IT Infrastructure Elements to facilitate and somewhat ‘modularize’ our compliance strategy.
  • 5.4 Development versus Implementation Life Cycle
    In this lesson, we describe how to implement various computerized systems based on their software category; where from a user’s perspective the lower categories require less vendor input and where the higher categories require more.
  • 5.5 Specification, Design and Verification
    In this lesson, we review the ASTM International standard E 2500 – 07 ‘Standard Guide for Specification, Design, and Verification of Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Systems and Equipment’.
  • 5.6 Testing Documentation Structure & Verification Terminology
    In this lesson, we look at good practices regarding the organization of testing documentation on a project and we also examine legacy and modern terms for testing documentation used in the medicinal products’ industries.
  • 5.7 Scalable Validation Deliverables
    This lesson recommends a range of scaleable validation deliverables over the range of software categories where we see increasing intricacy with increasing category designation.
  • 5.8 Patch and Update Management
    In this lesson, we consider suitable management strategies for the implementation of software patches and upgrades to an existing computerized system operating in a regulated environment.
  • 5.9 Operational Change and Configuration Management
    This lesson describes how to manage the configuration of a computerized system in a regulated environment during the operation and maintenance phase and keep it current and relevant where we’re in a period of continuous change and upgrading.
  • 5.10 Repair Activity
    In this lesson, we discuss a process by which non-functional systems are returned to a functional state under the control of a repair activity procedure.
  • 5.11 Periodic Review
    In this lesson we’re going to look at a method to ensure a computerized system remains compliant with regulatory requirements throughout its operational life, remains fit for intended use, and continually satisfies company policies and procedures.
  • 5.12 Backup and Restore
    In this lesson, we describe a mechanism to protect electronic information assets against loss of original data and subsequent accurate restoration of assets when required.

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.
  • 6.1 Good Electronic Records Management Transactions
    In this lesson, we look at current good practices associated with good electronic records management including transactions, audit trails, sequence checks, electronic signatures, and continuous session system access.
  • 6.2 Audit Trails
    In this lesson, we explore how the application of audit trails improve information quality and reduce information loss from activities such as overwriting of data attributes.
  • 6.3 AutoCAD Used for Managing Pack Drawings
  • 6.4 Building Management Systems (BMS) 
  • 6.5 21 CFR Part 211 – Subparts D and J
    In this lesson we look at the FDA’s predicate GMP rule 21 CFR Part 211 specifically Subparts D and J. Subpart D relates to ‘Equipment’ and how subpart J relates to ‘Records and Reports’.
  • 6.6 FDA 21 CFR Part 11 – ‘Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures (ERES)’ 

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.
  • 7.1 Electronic Data Archiving
    In this lesson, we describe a suitable data archiving strategy for moving data that is no longer actively used in the active environment where it was created to a separate data storage area for long-term retention.
  • 7.2 Typical Tasks Supporting Validation
    Here we look at recommendations from the FDA regarding tasks that may support the validation of a computerized system in a regulated environment.
  • 7.3 Security Management
    In this lesson, we define the controls required for securing a computerized system in an operational environment.
  • 7.4 Business Continuity Management
    In this lesson, we discuss how to regain access to an IT system and its data following a disaster, and how to restore critical business processes following a disruption while continuing to provide products or services.
  • 7.5 Relationship Between System Backup, Archival, and Disaster Recovery
    In this lesson we look at the inter-relationship amongst the accurate and reproducible backing up of digital assets (data and software), the archiving of closed business transactions and master data relocation to an external system, and the regaining of access to an IT system (including software, hardware and data) following a disaster.
  • 7.6 System Retirement, Decommissioning and Disposal
    This lesson describes appropriate controls that need to be in place when removing a computerized system from day to day use through obsolescence or replacement.
  • 7.7 Copies of Records
    This lesson considers methods on how to preserve the content and meaning of an electronic record when making a copy.

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.
  • 8.1 Complying with 21 CFR Part 11 ERES – Types of Controls Required 
  • 8.2 ERES – Key Areas for Guidance – Where to Apply Electronic Signatures
    This video explores examples of where to apply electronic signatures required by predicate rules and required by internal procedures.
  • 8.3 Batch Record Systems 
  • 8.4 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems 
  • 8.5 Controls to Maintain Electronic Record Integrity
    In this lesson, we examine controls to maintain electronic record integrity when creating and
    storing records, transmitting records, and archiving records, and also controls for signature certification/ authentication and signature link integrity.
  • 8.6 Risk Controls for Electronic Records 
  • 8.7 Risk Controls for Electronic Signatures
    In this lesson, we look at risk controls for electronic signatures in terms of instruction for the information associated with a signed electronic record, e-signatures security certificates, and signature controls.
  • 8.8 User ERES Responsibilities
    In this lesson, we look at the end-user’s responsibilities associated with electronic records and electronic signatures.
  • 8.9 Supplier ERES Responsibilities
    In this lesson, we look at the supplier’s/vendor’s responsibilities associated with electronic records and electronic signatures.

Deliverables

  • Complete a question booklet that will summarise what you have learnt for the week and help ensure you retain and understand the information.

Complete a 6,000-word technical report written at a Masters/Graduate level, on a GxP system of your choice. You can choose a project from work for this! The assignment should outline the controls that have been put in place on an existing/new/upgraded system, to generate and manage electronic data from the system for the benefit of the patients who use the products manufactured/approved/released by the system.

It should be written for a senior management audience so as to give them the necessary information they need to make informed management decisions about the electronic data generated and managed by the system, (e.g. will it meet the findings from a previous FDA audit, or to prepare for an upcoming one, etc) to support the manufacturing of safe and effective medicines and medical devices for patients.

The structure of the report should include details on the LifeCycle of your chosen data management system, to confirm your understanding and reflect your ability to apply your learning from the CSV programme to a real-world situation:

  1. Concept of the chosen data management system, including what the original URS wanted to achieve in terms of data generation and management, the risk management assessment to support the critical decisions made in the choices that were taken in the design/specification of the data management, the document control that was put in place to record the data generated for future audit.
  2. The project itself has to be defined, using tools like the V-model to describe the steps taken in the project to gather data and how the IQ-OQ-PQ phases ensured that the system installed (or to be installed) is fit for purpose to manage/control the electronic data generated (and how it met or modified the requirements of the URS).
  3. The learnings (or expected learnings) from the Operation of the system have to be described noting key data management areas such as CAPA’s and Maintenance, and the systems used to ensure that nothing crashes and no data is lost.
  4. The preparations for the Retirement of the system at some time in the future have to be described, noting how the electronic data can be migrated to another system (or deleted).
The assignment must demonstrate:
  • Your understanding of how the electronic data from the system is managed to make sure it is transparent, robust and tamperproof, that it is stored so that it stands the test of time,
  • That the systems and procedures have been put in place to ensure that nothing crashes and no data is lost, and that the necessary ERES considerations have been included.
You will produce a number of deliverables during the course including:

  • Determine the end user supplier activities during the lifecycle of a computerized system
  • Identify where you would use risk based decision making throughout the lifecycle of a computerized system
  • Prepare a Configuration Management Process Flow Diagram and identify where to use Change Control
  • Define the content of typical logs and accompanying records for both incident Management and corrective and preventive action (CAPA)
  • Determine suitable risk controls when assessing electronic records and electronic signatures.

Delivered by a Practicing Industry Expert

Dr. Joe Brady

Full-Time Validation Lead
Lecturer, Technological University Dublin, Ireland
Senior Associate, GetReskilled

Dr. Joe Brady is a full-time practicing Validation Lead and an assistant lecturer with Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), in the School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Joe is a certified trainer and highly experienced in competency-based training. He designs and prepares educational modules and full academic courses ranging from MSc, MEngSc. BSc, to Certificate level, for a range of academic institution.

He is also a supervisor for MSc/MEngSc and PhD theses. Joe has over twenty years of project experience in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device industries in Ireland, Singapore, China, The Netherlands, France and the USA.

Syllabus   Faq   Price

Hear From People Who’ve Taken This Course
Drivers for GAMPS.

Ken O’Keeffe

“Interesting and Helpful in my Current Role”

“I have found the Computer System Validation course to be both interesting and helpful in my current role. The individual sections of the course are easy to follow. The delivery of the course is really straight forward. During the course there has been times when I have been busy with work and have not been able to study. The structure of the course allows me to be flexible in my study.”

Computer System Validation Course

Giorgia Romeo

“I Would Highly Recommend This Course”

“I would highly recommend anyone wishing to gain an education in the Computer System Validation sector to do this course. For me it has been very useful studying on-line in order to do the course in my own time. Lessons are very clear and the assignment deadlines make you disciplined to meet the deadlines set.”

Computer System Validation

John Ryan

“The Course Material is Concise and Interesting”

“The professionalism and passion of the lecturers comes across in the tutorials which gives the student confidence and encouragement to keep on top of the course. The course material is concise and interesting. The timing of the release of the lessons is perfect, the student moves at a comfortable pace, one step at a time.”

If you’re spending money on employee training, make sure you choose one they’ll finish!

With every GetReskilled ONLINE program;

  1. We use one centralized platform (Moodle) where learners can log into their classroom anytime. Each session, they’ll watch videos and complete a series of quizzes, tests, interactive activities, and projects. The course materials are available 24/7 and nothing requires them to be online at a specific day or time. i.e there are NO ZOOM classes and NO WEBINARS! Study anywhere, anytime.
  2. Working schedules are unpredictable so we offer flexible delivery. Learners can slow down, speed up or pause the delivery of the program depending on their current workload.
  3. We only release one week’s worth of material at a time and then MANUALLY check activity logs at the end of every week to make sure that learners are keeping up with work.
  4. Every learner has a dedicated course leader who will email or telephone if it looks like they’re starting to fall behind. The course leader will work with them to develop a study plan to get them back on schedule and finish the course.

This all helps us to spot any potential issues early and helps learners to successfully complete the program.

How-does-Studying-Online-Work

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7 Frequently Asked Questions

In the standard delivery option, learners need approximately 10 hours per week for 10 weeks – there are 8 weeks of new content and then 2 weeks allocated for assignment completion. These 10 hours are entirely flexible – there are no fixed times or in-person elements within the schedule.

For the Fast Track delivery option, learning is completed over 10 days (Mon-Fri).

Yes, we understand that people who are taking a course alongside current work commitments often need flexibility in their schedule. The most important thing is that learners communicate such needs to their course coordinator in a timely fashion.

With a few details, we can invoice your company directly (with or without a purchase order) or you can pay by company credit card or bank transfer.

The main difference is simply the timescale over which the materials are delivered.

All course materials, learning and assignments are exactly the same.

In the regular delivery schedule, learners have one week to complete a “session” of content. Course coordinators check in on a weekly basis to see if that content has been completed and address any issues the learner might have had.

In the Fast Track delivery schedule, each “session” is completed in a day. To keep learners on track with that pace, course coordinators monitor progress and check in daily. It is a much more intense schedule but often necessary if a project or audit is imminent – we give learners on this schedule significant support through daily check-ins with their course coordinator.

No – as the programme is 100% online and there are no fixed class times, the course can be completed from anywhere.

Yes – all learners have access to their course materials for xxx months after completing the programme.

No, universities generally don’t offer university accreditation for just a single module. However, this module is currently being delivered as part of a Masters in Validation Technology by Technological University Dublin, Ireland. 

See link : https://www.tudublin.ie/study/postgraduate/courses/pharmaceutical-validation-technology/

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