Traceability evidence is recorded information that supports the history, status, and linkage of a product, part, material, or process. In manufacturing, it is the documented basis used to show what was made, what inputs were used, which steps were performed, who performed or approved them, and what results were recorded.
Traceability evidence commonly appears in MES, ERP, QMS, PLM, inspection, and supplier quality workflows. Examples include lot and serial records, material certificates, electronic travelers, inspection results, equipment or tool records, operator signoffs, timestamps, nonconformance dispositions, and shipment or release records.
The term should not be confused with traceability itself. Traceability is the ability to follow relationships across products, materials, processes, and records. Traceability evidence is the specific information that supports those relationships. It is also narrower than an audit trail, which usually records system actions or record changes over time.
Traceability evidence does not, by itself, prove compliance or product acceptability. It provides documented support that can be reviewed in quality, investigation, customer, or audit contexts.