GTP:Flow analysis method
From TraceFood
Standard method for analyzing material flow, information flow and information loss in food supply chain
Before implementing internal traceability, one should conduct a survey analyzing material flow and production processes, as well as information flow through the food business. The material flow entails both raw materials and ingredients going into the production, and products created. Investigation of the information flow should cover data recording related to the material flow.
Use of material flow diagrams and forms to document data recording help giving a good overview. This work must focus on existing traceability practice, or rather lack of such. Look out for how traceable units are being joined and split, size of batches and accompanying data recording. The survey gives a good basis for recommendation of improvements.
Based on experience typical corrections will be:
- Unique identification of inbound raw materials and ingredients
- Recording the ID of inbound traceable units
- Recording the ID of input factors going into the production
- Establish a more traceability friendly production, by reducing the batch size (i.e. one days production), and less joining of raw materials, etc.
Examples of a high-detail, structured questionnaire for mapping material flow and information flow in a supply chain can be found in the tools section.
