6 replies to this topic

[Microbiologist Scientist]

A small manufacturing facilitie (4 employees) wants to contract me to develop their SQF Plan(from zero). They want to give me a contract and I have to deliver the Plan (SQF) in 1 and a half month. This is my first time developing SQF plan, but a believe that is not time enogh. I long do you guys think it would take somebody to develop a SQF plan from zero.

[Charles.C]

A small manufacturing facilitie (4 employees) wants to contract me to develop their SQF Plan(from zero). They want to give me a contract and I have to deliver the Plan (SQF) in 1 and a half month. This is my first time developing SQF plan, but a believe that is not time enogh. I long do you guys think it would take somebody to develop a SQF plan from zero.

 

If you go to link below/pay it will theoretically  take one day. But note that although 4 people is not impossible (there are examples on this forum)  the GFSI recognized Standards implicitly assume larger organizations.

https://www.ifsqn.co...ation-packages/

 

Implementation is of course a totally different thing.

 

To produce a complete plan yourself depends on the target product/process and  your own situation, eg FS technical background/FS experience/FS back-up. if the last named are "limited" then 1.5 months is probably dreamland.

[Ryan H.]

All I can say is good luck! That is not a lot of time. If you do not already have the document templates in hand, then I would highly suggest the link in the above thread. Since it is a smaller operation it is possible, but SQF's moto is say what you do (having the documents in place) do what you say (perform the functions as stated in your SOP's) and prove it! (record the processes through documenting and recording verification procedures, etc. 

 

Training and follow-up will be critical to ensure compliance. 

 

Good luck to you!

[SQFconsultant]

Hi Carmelo,

 

We have specialized in fast tracking SQF developments for a number of years now and it takes us at minimum 4 weeks and that is with all preparation work and planning completed prior to starting the development on day 1.

 

1 month is an unreasonable amount of time to develop an SQF (from scratch) for someone that does not do this every month.

 

Tell them to get real world!

 

By the way, even we would not sign a contract that requires delivery in 1 month - there are just too many variables that can come into play once the project is started and our developments require co-operative work with facility personnel and owners as well.

 

Then there is implementation.

Edited by SQFconsultant, 14 December 2018 - 11:22 PM.

[Gerard H.]

Dear Carmelo,

 

With regard to your question and the other ones you posted afterwards, I would like to share some thoughts.

 

As you could see in the answers above, it's a challenge to implement an SQF system in 1.5 months (6 weeks = 30 working days). All depends on resources, circumstances and the time you can spend on the project. If you have a lot of side tasks in the company, you will not make enough progress.

 

As you will take the role as the implementation responsible, it's necessary that:

1. You make a realistic project planning, by taking all the elements to be implemented and to be executed to obtain your SQF certificate. You need to take the circumstances and variables as mentioned above into account
2. That will give you the amount of time needed to implement and to certify the SQF system. That will be your answer to the direction of the company. You will explain the why it takes the X amount of time
3. If X weeks or months is not quick enough, you will look for external resources. You find out on which topics they will assist and help you to accelerate the project. You will obtain a period of Y weeks or months
4. It's not a good situation to promise to finish the project in 1.5 months, without having done steps 1-3
5. Last but not least: How will the SQF system been developed and maintained after its implementation? Have they thought about this. You need to know it, to advise the direction correctly. They need to understand the consequences of having a certificate

I wish you good luck with this project! It's an opportunity to learn a lot of things.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gerard Heerkens

[sqflady]

I have developed an SQF system from scratch and it took about a year.  The company needs to also have SQF related documentation in place for several months before being audited.  

[MsMars]

You may be able to get the documentation in place, but even a small company takes time to implement new procedures.  Learning and change take time.  I wouldn't do it in less than 3 months for a small facility, 6 months at least for anything larger than 10 employees.  Will the CB even schedule an audit in that short of a timeframe?