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.