A computer-implemented method of operating a diagnostic instrument for analyzing a biological sample comprising an analytical unit configured to carry out one or more analytical processing steps on the biological sample to determine presence, absence and/or concentration of one or more analyte(s) in the biological sample, wherein the diagnostic instrument comprises or is connected to a detection unit the method comprising: - detecting activity in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument by a detection unit, wherein activity comprises presence and/or movement of an operator in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument and operation of the diagnostic instrument by an operator; - processing signals of the detection unit by a processor to determine a probability of use of the diagnostic instrument, the probability of use being directly proportional to the activity in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument; and wherein said processor is a processor of the diagnostic instrument; - the diagnostic instrument carrying out maintenance processes such as not to conflict with said activity, wherein a maintenance process conflicts with the activity if the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument is above a usage probability threshold said method additionally comprising - the processor determining an activity pattern based on signals of the detection unit, the activity pattern being indicative of a probability of use at a specific time(s) and/or in a specific time interval; wherein the step of determining the activity pattern comprises ∘ detecting activity using the detection unit at predetermined time intervals; ∘ calculating the probability of use in a specific time interval as an average or mean percentage of detected activity in each time interval - the diagnostic instrument scheduling maintenance processes of a second type with an expected duration longer than a threshold duration, such that the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument at the time the maintenance process is scheduled to be carried out is below a usage probability threshold; - the processor classifying activity around the instrument into: - a first group of activity if activity comprises operation of the diagnostic instrument; - a second group of activity if the detected activity comprises presence and/or movement in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument but not operation of the diagnostic instrument, - wherein the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument corresponding to activity of the first group is set higher than the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument corresponding to activity of the second group - the diagnostic instrument executing the maintenance processes as scheduled. - detecting activity in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument by a detection unit, wherein activity comprises presence and/or movement of an operator in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument and operation of the diagnostic instrument by an operator; - processing signals of the detection unit by a processor to determine a probability of use of the diagnostic instrument, the probability of use being directly proportional to the activity in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument; and wherein said processor is a processor of the diagnostic instrument; - the diagnostic instrument carrying out maintenance processes such as not to conflict with said activity, wherein a maintenance process conflicts with the activity if the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument is above a usage probability threshold - the processor determining an activity pattern based on signals of the detection unit, the activity pattern being indicative of a probability of use at a specific time(s) and/or in a specific time interval; wherein the step of determining the activity pattern comprises ∘ detecting activity using the detection unit at predetermined time intervals; ∘ calculating the probability of use in a specific time interval as an average or mean percentage of detected activity in each time interval ∘ detecting activity using the detection unit at predetermined time intervals; ∘ calculating the probability of use in a specific time interval as an average or mean percentage of detected activity in each time interval - the diagnostic instrument scheduling maintenance processes of a second type with an expected duration longer than a threshold duration, such that the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument at the time the maintenance process is scheduled to be carried out is below a usage probability threshold; - the processor classifying activity around the instrument into: - a first group of activity if activity comprises operation of the diagnostic instrument; - a second group of activity if the detected activity comprises presence and/or movement in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument but not operation of the diagnostic instrument, - a first group of activity if activity comprises operation of the diagnostic instrument; - a second group of activity if the detected activity comprises presence and/or movement in the proximity of the diagnostic instrument but not operation of the diagnostic instrument, - wherein the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument corresponding to activity of the first group is set higher than the probability of use of the diagnostic instrument corresponding to activity of the second group - the diagnostic instrument executing the maintenance processes as scheduled.