Definition and context
An audit trail records who performed an action, when it happened and what changed. It helps teams reconstruct an inspection decision; it does not by itself prove that every defect was detected.
Record the change
Keep the user identity, timestamp, affected record and previous and new values. Record a reason when results are corrected or a lot is approved again. Link supporting photos and measurements where relevant.
Protect the history
Restrict changes to or deletion of the log. During a review, compare events with the inspection report and approval record. A last-updated timestamp is not a complete audit trail.
Where this term fits in the workflow
Audit trail is usually shown in the traceability and compliance.
Terms used to prove what happened, who approved it, and whether the product meets buyer or system requirements.
What is KaizenQ?
KaizenQ helps factory teams record inspection results, defect photos, and notes in one report shared with the office.
Learn more
Key takeaways
- Keep who, what, when and why with the change history.
- A log supports investigation; it is not a guarantee of product conformity.