Getting Started

Set up SPECTRA and run your first analysis in under an hour.

What You’ll Need

  • Your batch data as a .csv file — one row per time point, one column per process parameter, with a batch ID column and a timestamp column
  • A SPECTRA account (contact us at info@spectra-analytics.com to get access)

That’s it. No software to install if you’re using the hosted version.

Step 1 — Create Your First Project

After logging in, click New Project. Give it a name that makes sense to your team (e.g. “Fermentation Line A — Q1 2026”) and optionally add a description.

Projects are your containers. Each project holds its own uploads, analysis runs, and reports. You can invite other team members to a project without giving them access to your other projects.

Step 2 — Upload Your Batch Data

Click Upload Data and drag in your CSV file. SPECTRA will:

  1. Detect all numeric columns automatically
  2. Ask you to confirm which column is your batch ID and which is your timestamp
  3. Ask you to select your outcome metric — the variable you’re trying to optimise (e.g. yield, purity, potency)

Once confirmed, your data is validated and ready for analysis.

Tips for your CSV:

  • Include all batches in a single file — one file per upload, covering as many runs as you have
  • More batches = better statistical results. Aim for at least 20–30 runs for meaningful patterns
  • Column names can be anything; SPECTRA doesn’t require a specific format

Step 3 — Run an Analysis

Navigate to the Analysis tab and pick a module:

Module Best first question to answer
Batch Profiling (BPO) Which batches had unusually high or low measurements?
Quality Attribute Analysis (QAA) Is my process capable, and what is the risk for out-of-specifications?
Batch Level Modelling (BLM) Which parameters should I select to monitor and control my process to achieve improvement?
Batch Comparison (BCT) Which batches and parameters should be selected as golden batches for process monitoring and control?
Process Parameter Analysis (PPA) Which control limits should I define to improve my process?

Most teams start with BPO to get a feel for the data, then move to BLM to understand which process parameters and attributes impact outcomes (yield, defects, content, purity, etc.). After identifying significant process parameters through BLM, teams move to the BCT module to understand which batches differ and to select golden batches. These are then used in the PPA module to define and refine control limits. The QAA module is used to assess process capability and the risk of out-of-specification results both before and after control limits are implemented.

Step 4 — Build Your Report

As you work through each analysis, click Add to Report on any chart that tells part of your story. When you’re ready:

  1. Go to the Report tab
  2. SPECTRA’s AI assistant will have written a plain-language summary for each chart
  3. Read each summary. Validate the AI summary, add your own notes, and reject any process improvement ideas you do not agree with.Approve what is accurate, add your own notes, reject anything you disagree with
  4. Click Export to download a Word (.docx) or PDF document with all selected charts, summaries, and your notes included

The exported report includes a cover page, table of contents, and page numbers. It is ready for inclusion in a process validation file or deviation investigation package after an electronic signature by the author and reviewers in the documentation system in your environment.

Inviting Your Team

Go to Project Settings → Members to invite colleagues. You can assign each person a role:

  • Owner — full access, can manage members and delete the project
  • Analyst — can upload data, run analyses, and build reports
  • Viewer — read-only access to results and reports