Connect981 – Content Dev

Glossary Tag: data governance

  • API gateway

    An API gateway is a software component that provides a controlled entry point for API requests between systems. It receives requests from clients or applications, routes them to the correct backend service, and commonly applies controls such as authentication, authorization, rate limiting, request transformation, and logging.

    In manufacturing and industrial systems, an API gateway may sit between MES, ERP, PLM, QMS, historian, analytics, supplier portal, or cloud applications. It helps standardize how systems expose and consume services without requiring every application to connect directly to every other application.

    An API gateway should not be confused with an API itself. The API defines the callable functions or data contract, while the gateway manages access to those APIs. It is also distinct from a message broker or enterprise service bus, although these technologies may coexist in an integration architecture. A gateway can support governance and traceability of API traffic, but it does not by itself define master data, validate business logic, or establish compliance status.

  • Serial tracking

    Serial tracking is item-level traceability that records and follows individual units, components, or assemblies by a unique serial number. In manufacturing, it is used to identify where a specific item was built, inspected, moved, installed, reworked, shipped, or otherwise handled.

    Serial tracking commonly appears in MES, ERP, quality, inventory, and maintenance systems. It may capture events such as material issue, operation completion, inspection results, nonconformance records, genealogy links, and shipment history. The serial number acts as the identifier that connects those records across systems and process steps.

    Serial tracking is more granular than lot tracking. Lot tracking groups items produced or received together, while serial tracking distinguishes one unit from another within or across lots. It should not be treated as only a labeling activity; reliable serial tracking also depends on controlled data capture, scan or entry discipline, exception handling, and integration between shop-floor and business systems.

  • Log file

    A log file is a system-generated record of technical events, messages, errors, transactions, or status changes captured over time. In manufacturing and industrial systems, log files are commonly produced by applications, servers, machines, controllers, interfaces, MES platforms, ERP integrations, and network services.

    Log files are mainly used for troubleshooting, performance monitoring, security review, and understanding how a system or process behaved. A log entry often includes a timestamp, event type, source system, message text, error code, user or device identifier, and related transaction details.

    A log file should not be assumed to be the same as an audit trail. An audit trail is a controlled record of quality-relevant or regulated activity, typically focused on who did what, when, and sometimes why. Log files may support an audit trail, but they need appropriate configuration, access controls, retention, integrity controls, and context before they can serve that purpose in a quality or compliance workflow.

  • Serial Number Traceability

    Serial number traceability is the ability to trace a specific serialized item through its manufacturing, inspection, material, and quality history. It links a unique serial number to the records that show where the item came from, how it was built, what components or lots were used, which operations were performed, and where the item was shipped or installed.

    In manufacturing systems, serial number traceability is commonly used for high-value, regulated, safety-sensitive, or configuration-controlled products. It may connect data from MES, ERP, PLM, quality management systems, inspection systems, and supplier records. Typical records include work orders, routings, operation signoffs, test results, nonconformances, rework, component genealogy, and shipment history.

    Serial number traceability is more specific than lot traceability. Lot traceability follows a batch or group of material, while serial number traceability follows an individual unit. In some environments, both are needed because a serialized assembly may contain parts or materials that are tracked by lot, batch, heat, or serial number.

    The term does not by itself imply a required response time, audit outcome, or compliance status. The practical usefulness of serial number traceability depends on data completeness, system integration, record quality, and the depth of genealogy captured across operations and supply chain steps.

  • Traceability records

    Traceability records are documented evidence that links a manufactured item, lot, batch, or serial number to the materials, process steps, equipment, operators, inspections, and disposition decisions associated with it.

    In manufacturing systems, traceability records are commonly created and maintained in MES, ERP, QMS, inspection, and document-control systems. They may include material certifications, routing history, work order execution data, inspection results, nonconformance references, rework activity, timestamps, approvals, and shipment or installation references.

    These records support product genealogy and help show what happened to a part or batch during production. They are not the same as general production reports, dashboards, or inventory balances unless those records can be tied to specific items, lots, operations, or quality events.

    Retention and content expectations vary by industry, customer, contract, product type, and quality system requirements. In aerospace and other regulated or quality-sensitive environments, traceability records are often treated as long-lived quality evidence, especially for serialized, safety-critical, or life-limited parts.

  • Approved data

    Approved data is technical or quality information that has been formally authorized for use under the applicable engineering, quality, customer, or aviation authority process. In manufacturing and MRO, it commonly refers to controlled drawings, specifications, repair instructions, dispositions, work instructions, or maintenance data that personnel may use to perform, inspect, or verify work.

    In aerospace MRO, approved data is especially important when discrepancies, repairs, alterations, or nonconformances are documented. An NCR disposition, repair instruction, or corrective action may need to reference approved data so the completed work remains traceable before release documentation is prepared, where applicable.

    Approved data should not be confused with a release certificate or release document. The data supports and controls the work; it does not by itself certify that an item is released. It also excludes drafts, uncontrolled copies, informal instructions, or data that has not been accepted through the required authorization path.

  • as-executed record

    An as-executed record is a record of what actually occurred while a manufacturing, assembly, inspection, or maintenance process was performed. It documents execution-level evidence such as completed steps, operators, timestamps, materials and lot numbers, tools or equipment used, process results, inspections, signoffs, and exceptions.

    In manufacturing systems, as-executed records are commonly created or assembled by MES, digital traveler, electronic DHR, quality, or maintenance systems. They support traceability by linking the planned work to the actual build or service history. In aerospace and other regulated or quality-sensitive environments, they often contribute to a digital thread by showing which instructions were current, what work was performed, and how deviations or nonconformances were handled.

    An as-executed record should not be confused with a routing, work instruction, or bill of materials. Those describe intended work or required inputs. The as-executed record describes the work as performed. It also does not, by itself, prove compliance or product conformity; its reliability depends on the completeness, accuracy, controls, and system integrations behind the recorded data.

  • as-built genealogy

    As-built genealogy is the recorded lineage of what was actually used, performed, and changed during the manufacture of a specific product, unit, lot, or assembly. It shows the real built configuration, including materials, components, serial or lot numbers, operation history, revisions, inspections, and other production records that establish how the item was made.

    In manufacturing systems, as-built genealogy is commonly captured in an MES, electronic traveler, quality system, or traceability database. It supports production traceability by linking a finished item back to its consumed parts, process steps, inspection results, nonconformances, rework, and configuration changes. In aerospace and other regulated or quality-sensitive environments, this record is often important for understanding the actual build state of a part or assembly.

    As-built genealogy should not be confused with the engineering bill of materials or planned routing. Those describe the intended design and process. As-built genealogy records the execution history and actual configuration after production activity has occurred.

  • records retention schedule

    A records retention schedule is a controlled plan that defines how long specific types of records must be kept, where they are maintained, who owns them, and what happens to them at the end of the retention period. In manufacturing, it commonly applies to quality records, production records, inspection results, traceability data, training records, maintenance records, and other evidence generated by operations and business systems.

    The schedule is usually based on applicable customer, contract, regulatory, quality management system, and product-support requirements. For example, an aerospace manufacturer may set different retention periods for MES traceability records, first article inspection records, calibration records, and supplier quality records, depending on the program and part criticality.

    A records retention schedule should not be confused with a backup policy. Backups are used to recover systems or data after failure, while retention schedules define the required lifecycle of records as controlled business or quality evidence. A retention schedule also does not by itself establish compliance; it is one element of records control and evidence management.

  • Lot genealogy

    Lot genealogy is the recorded relationship between a production lot and the materials, process steps, equipment, personnel, inspections, and quality records associated with it. It shows where a lot came from, how it was processed, and where its resulting product or subassemblies were used.

    In manufacturing systems, lot genealogy is commonly maintained through MES, ERP, quality, inventory, and traceability records. It may link controlled identifiers such as lot number, batch number, work order, operation, part revision, inspection result, nonconformance record, and supplier material lot.

    Lot genealogy supports both backward and forward traceability. Backward traceability identifies the inputs and process history behind a lot. Forward traceability identifies downstream lots, assemblies, shipments, or products that used material from that lot.

    Lot genealogy should not be confused with serial genealogy. Lot genealogy traces groups of material or product managed under a lot or batch identifier. Serial genealogy traces individually identified units. In some environments, both are used together, such as when serialized parts are produced from controlled material lots.