Released in October of 2023, the Testing Playbook was created to provide US decision-makers at the federal, state, and local level with a clear and evidence-based guide for making rapid and effective decisions regarding the development, implementation, and scale-up of diagnostic testing in an infectious disease emergency. Importantly, 37 public health leaders were consulted to inform its creation with expertise from across federal agencies, state and local governments, commercial and hospital laboratories, academic medical centers, and diagnostic manufacturers.

It was developed collaboratively by subject matter experts at the Pandemic Center, Arizona State University College of Health Solutions and Illumina Ventures, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and the STAT Public Health Network, with funding from the Peterson Foundation.