Customer Request to draw up a detailed process flow

Hi Everyone 

I'm just off the phone with a customer and they want me to draw up a process flow but not like the HACCP one they want a proper in depth one. Any body know how to go about this? Like what to include etc?

Our process is pretty simple, meat in -> slice -> cook -> cool ->dice/cut -> pack -> distribute

Sorry if this isn't in the right section btw lol

Donna x 

I'm not sure what they are looking for if they don't want your HACCP flow diagram or maybe I make mine like in depth process flow charts.

Put one together with all of the equipment and any step where personnel interact with the product like maybe inspection station or whatever.

So basically walk the production line from intake to dispatch, note all key equipment take notes and draw one up from there? Would you include any pre-requisites/SOP's

I'd put in CCP's and CP's(oPRPs), equipment used in the process flow, places where employees interact, receiving of materials, put in the flow of materials (meat, food contact packaging, stuff that goes in/on the meat... I've never worked in meat so idk), and end the flow at distribution.

Thanks :)

You're welcome I hope that works for them.  Good luck!

Hi Everyone 

 

I'm just off the phone with a customer and they want me to draw up a process flow but not like the HACCP one they want a proper in depth one. Any body know how to go about this? Like what to include etc?

 

Our process is pretty simple, meat in -> slice -> cook -> cool ->dice/cut -> pack -> distribute

 

Sorry if this isn't in the right section btw lol

 

Donna x 

Hi DonnaC,

   Did you ask why? Are they planning on cutting their own meat and needed to know exactly how the process is done? It seems like an odd request if you were able to provide your HACCP flow chart. However, I did have an auditor who asked me to put in my critical limits for my CCP's on my HACCP flow chart. :bop: I guess he was too lazy to look at the HACCP Plan or HACCP Summary.

We have a high level flow chart that covers all our processes from receiving the order in sales through manufacture and shipping of the product to the customer.  It is a swimlane chart with all the different functions across the top and our processes filled in underneath the appropriate function.  Each process step lists the corresponding document number by which that step is performed or where the data is recorded.  It shows the flow of information as well as the materials and manufacturing processes.  Hope this helps.  Would love to share it but it is an ISO doc and considered confidential by the company.

I had  a rather large customer request this.....and since they already had our HACCP process flow and were specific they needed "our process flow",  I took the HACCP process flow put it on a different page, used a different font and synonyms and they were very happy.  To quote them, "this what we were looking for..."  I didn't get it then, still don't get it but they were happy....so I'm happy.   

Dear Donna,

Unless there is some known context to the contrary, my first reaction would be to document the conversation, copy it to appropriate  "Senior Management" and ask for comments/advice  on any further QA (?) actions.

As reported, IMO, the request has all the makings of a "hot potato". With you holding the "sack". :smile:

Rgds / Charles.C

Dear Donna,

 

Unless there is some known context to the contrary, my first reaction would be to document the conversation, copy it to appropriate  "Senior Management" and ask for comments/advice  on any further QA (?) actions.

 

As reported, IMO, the request has all the makings of a "hot potato". With you holding the "sack". :smile:

 

Rgds / Charles.C

Sound advice.

I had  a rather large customer request this.....and since they already had our HACCP process flow and were specific they needed "our process flow",  I took the HACCP process flow put it on a different page, used a different font and synonyms and they were very happy.  To quote them, "this what we were looking for..."  I didn't get it then, still don't get it but they were happy....so I'm happy.   

lol!! with my luck i know this wouldnt work! 

They are looking it as we have had issues with listeria with them before so i am assuming thats why they want it?

I'm not sure a how process flow would help figure out listeria problems?  It might help but you need so much other stuff for that . 

Maybe they want a physical lay out, or the steps you take to separate your raw area to your cooked area.  With listeria it's all about tracking/mositure.  Normally I would ask about EMP, Captive Footwear, a map of the walkways if I was worried about Listeria...but maybe a map with the process flow steps would help?  Can you ask them for an example?

Dear Donna,

I believe in US TV-land, it's known as a Case File. :smile:

In UK it morphs into a Due Diligence Defence.

Rgds / Charles.C

Hello Donna,

Your customer's request is not uncommon.  They're looking for what process engineers refer to as the PFD (process flow diagram).  It's a top-level engineering process diagram.

Before handing over anything like that, you should be sure you have a solid Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the customer.

If you have absolutely no knowledge of how to diagram a PFD, then you should hire a consulting engineering firm to do it for you.  It'll be well worth it to add the document to your HACCP portfolio.

However, if you do want to do it yourself, you can find many examples online.  If you purchase a copy of MS Visio, it has all of the symbols and layouts for doing PFD's and it's somewhat intuitive.

This web page has just about everything you need to know...

http://www.engineeri...gram-d_865.html

Best Regards,

Mike