Tips on remembering all of the Sections, Clauses and Elements of SQF
There are so many that I keep having to go back into the edition 9 book. How do you remember all the sections, clauses and elements?? Any tips on how to remember each section/clause/element by memory? I must be getting old :(
Cue cards. Over 20 years as an Auditor and consultant I always carried a stack of cards. I've gotten pretty good at flipping them to just what I need.
Add the element to your procedure title!
I keep the PDF bookmarked in my browser for quick access, along with the guidance documents. I don't have it memorized (ain't nobody got time for dat!), but after reading and rereading it so many times I have a good sense of what the code requires.
When I encounter a person or program that seems a little outside the lines, I pull up the code to get a fresh take on that element. Then if it's something I'd want to defend during an audit, I refer to the guidance docs to see where any wiggle room may exist.
I keep the PDF bookmarked in my browser for quick access, along with the guidance documents. I don't have it memorized (ain't nobody got time for dat!), but after reading and rereading it so many times I have a good sense of what the code requires.
When I encounter a person or program that seems a little outside the lines, I pull up the code to get a fresh take on that element. Then if it's something I'd want to defend during an audit, I refer to the guidance docs to see where any wiggle room may exist.
I don't have it memorized (ain't nobody got time for dat!), but after reading and rereading it so many times I have a good sense of what the code requires.
i don't think people new to the role spend enough time reading and rereading the standards. You will always find items that you missed, need to be improved, and learn where things are.
Thanks all. I'll be starting a new role where I'm responsible for the SQF program. All the clauses and elements are a bit overwhelming. I'll keep reading, reading and reading some more in hopes to retain as much info as possible. Very stressed to say the least!
Thanks all. I'll be starting a new role where I'm responsible for the SQF program. All the clauses and elements are a bit overwhelming. I'll keep reading, reading and reading some more in hopes to retain as much info as possible. Very stressed to say the least!
Everyone was once green and new, so don't let yourself feel down or overwhelmed. The old adage about eating an elephant one bite at a time rings true here.
One step that can help can be to review your prior year(s) SQF audits. See where the auditors marked your programs as sufficient in prior audits. Then take small sections and review them against your programs. Look at your hold and release procedure while reading the Non-Conforming section of SQF. Take a look at your recall program while reading recall requirements of the Code. So on, so forth. Do it in your downtime between the 1,000 other things we all have to do on a daily basis
You got this.
I created an index with the main headings and all the sub-elements. I keep one in the front of my printed code book and one on the wall next to my desk for quick reference. I claim Einstein's excuse (but not his intelligence!): "Never memorize something that you can look up". Kind of along the lines of "I don't know, but I can find out and get back to you".
If you want a copy of the index I can send it.
I created an index with the main headings and all the sub-elements. I keep one in the front of my printed code book and one on the wall next to my desk for quick reference. I claim Einstein's excuse (but not his intelligence!): "Never memorize something that you can look up". Kind of along the lines of "I don't know, but I can find out and get back to you".
If you want a copy of the index I can send it.
That is a great idea! Yes, I'd love to see the index! I appreciate everyones help!
That is a great idea! Yes, I'd love to see the index! I appreciate everyones help!
I attached my version of the expanded index (For food packaging manufacturers)
Attached Files
All it took for me to remember most of this stuff was 15 years of experience, and getting written up a bunch. Not even trying to be funny....lol.
It's best not to have every base covered anyway imho. They're going to write you up for something! May as well make it something easy to write a CAR on....
I did the index thing, too! I refer to it all the time. It is a great time saver!
That is a great idea! Yes, I'd love to see the index! I appreciate everyones help!
I attached my version of the expanded index (For food packaging manufacturers)
Thanks so much! Printing it out now.
All it took for me to remember most of this stuff was 15 years of experience, and getting written up a bunch. Not even trying to be funny....lol.
It's best not to have every base covered anyway imho. They're going to write you up for something! May as well make it something easy to write a CAR on....
very true
There are so many that I keep having to go back into the edition 9 book. How do you remember all the sections, clauses and elements?? Any tips on how to remember each section/clause/element by memory? I must be getting old :(
One of the most effective ways to remember is probably to get a lot of non-conformances. You'll read and ponder their precise meaning for hours, and re-read them until you know them by heart. Not a method I would recommend though.
Alternatively, you can look around this site and try to learn from the problems other members run into.
That is a great idea! Yes, I'd love to see the index! I appreciate everyones help!
I attached my version of the expanded index (For food packaging manufacturers)
Any chance you have one of these for Module 11? :-)
Any chance you have one of these for Module 11? :-)
All I did was copy and paste from the PDF and dropped them into a spreadsheet because it was easier that way (for me).
All I did was copy and paste from the PDF and dropped them into a spreadsheet because it was easier that way (for me).
Ahh! Good idea!! Thank you!! :-)