Traceability vs. Genealogy: What’s the Difference?

Traceability records the identity, status and movement of materials or products through defined steps. Genealogy connects those records to show which components, lots, process steps and equipment contributed to a finished item. Genealogy is therefore a way to represent product relationships that support backward investigation and forward impact analysis. The terms overlap, and systems often provide both capabilities.

Related: electronic batch records · MES.