The present invention is directed to a method that determines the necessary and sufficient tests to relate a variety of apparently non-related tests to desired final test results. The present invention also provides a method to determine those tests which, having been shown capable to be used in a high-throughput environment, are able to predict end-use qualification test results for lubricants, greases or industrial fluids. As a corollary, the present invention provides a method to select lubricant formulations and components based on apparently non-related, but predictive tests. In an applied example, the present invention is directed to a device and method that produces and evaluates formulated lubricants, functional fluids, and greases by determining previously unknown relationships between Intermediate Tests and End-use Tests.