As more reports of cities flooding or workers demonstrating against unfair working conditions surface, the case for supply chain transparency becomes clearer. Traceability still matters. Without data traceability you cannot prove your operations are not contributing to these challenges – one of the key drivers of the partnership between Tapestry and TrusTrace.
Supply chain data traceability is essential for building resilient and transparent supply chains. Unveiling the data ensures compliance with regulations, reduces risks among suppliers, and supports sustainability goals.
However, many businesses continue to struggle with fragmented data, inconsistent processes, and the organizational politics of implementing traceability. Overcoming these challenges unlocks significant advantages, including enhanced efficiency, stronger brand trust, the ability to demonstrate legal compliance, and continued market access. This post from TrusTrace will go over the common pitfalls brands experience whilst achieving traceability, and how businesses can overcome these and turn traceability into a powerful driver of growth and innovation.
Common Mistakes Many Brands are Still Doing
Waiting for the Perfect Solution
Brands often delay implementing traceability, waiting for a flawless solution. While alignment is important, the “all-or-nothing” comes at the cost of project delays or falling behind on collecting valuable data. Traceability is an evolving journey, not a one-time fix. By starting with scalable tools and gathering actionable data now, brands can make meaningful improvements and reduce risks while paving the way for future growth. Start small with a pilot, improve iteratively, and align along the way without losing momentum. Adolfo Dominguez chose TrusTrace for their partner to trace the alpaca supply chain.
Aim for 100% Traceability
While full traceability is ideal, striving for 100% from the start can be unrealistic and overwhelming. Focus on critical areas first—like high-risk materials or suppliers—and expand gradually. Incremental progress builds confidence and delivers measurable impact.
Settling for Point Solutions Like Audits
Audits provide a snapshot of what is happening in certain parts of the supply chain, but they fail at delivering the continuous visibility needed for effective traceability. Relying solely on audits as a response to regulations risks missing dynamic issues like forced labor, deforestation or fraudulent material integrity. Brands must invest in real-time data and technology-driven solutions to ensure ongoing accountability across their supply chains.
Top 5 Strategies to Overcome the Common Traceability Mistakes
1. Adopt an Iterative Approach
Start small with scalable traceability tools like TrusTrace that address immediate pain points and expand with your needs. Avoid point solutions that only solve single issues but require replacement when needs evolve. Instead, invest in a platform solution that allows you to add tools over time, eliminating the need for repeated procurement cycles. Focus initially on high-priority areas, such as high-risk materials like cotton or supply chains operating in high-risk regions. This is exactly the approach that Primark took when first implementing traceability with TrusTrace. From there they’ve expanded their program to trace supply chains of MMCF, polyester and nylon. Taking the iterative approach enables gradual expansion as your team builds confidence and expertise.
2. Prioritize Primary Data Collection Early
Teams often hinder their own progress with limiting beliefs about supplier willingness or the effort required to get started. The reality is that data will always be dynamic, and the best practice is to start collecting primary data as soon as possible, regardless of your technology maturity. Establishing an understanding with direct suppliers early on can help secure their support and cooperation, even before full organizational buy-in is achieved. Building these relationships strengthens trust and demonstrates the shared value of primary data for traceability.
Begin collecting critical supplier and facility data from your direct contacts to assess risks effectively and take timely action. Even incomplete data can provide actionable insights, driving immediate compliance corrections and reducing risks while laying the groundwork for scaling data systems. Remember, you can only scale what you do well.
3. Define Clear, Realistic Goals
Break traceability into manageable milestones instead of aiming for 100% traceability of all materials and tiers. Set realistic goals, such as achieving visibility in key supply chain segments or a commodity like cotton, and gradually expand scope as you refine processes and align stakeholders. Check out the Traceability Roadmap for traceability implementation frameworks.
4. Build the Foundation with Technology
No matter which solution you choose, robust data is essential for reporting to leadership or regulators. Audits and certificates alone provide snapshots but fail to reveal compliance trends or patterns across the supply chain. A steady stream of data records and evidence, enabled by technology, creates a reliable source of truth.
Invest in digital tools, like TrusTrace, that provide traceability and automated data validation systems to move beyond static audits. These technologies allow real-time data collection and continuous monitoring, ensuring accountability, compliance, and better decision-making.
5. Gather Evidence Between Audits
One of the most effective ways to avoid traceability mistakes is by prioritizing the continuous collection of evidence and establishing a strong chain of custody. A clear, documented trail of materials and transactions helps verify compliance, identify environmental and social damage risks, and ensure accountability across your supply chain.
Start by gathering data at key touchpoints and validating it with supporting evidence like certifications, shipment records, or invoices. ASICS uses TrusTrace for traceability of data to show how specific styles and materials are transformed from raw material to final products. By focusing on this practice beyond audits, you can avoid delays, uncover insights early, and ensure traceability systems are built on accurate, reliable data that scales with your needs.
Correcting Course to Achieve Traceability Excellence
Traceability requires decisive action and focus. If your efforts have stalled, now is the time to act. Stop waiting for perfect solutions, avoid unrealistic goals, and move beyond relying on audits alone. Start collecting data now, work with direct suppliers to build alignment, and use technology to support continuous improvement. Traceability is an ongoing process that demands commitment to transparency and accountability. Take charge, make the necessary adjustments, and create a strong, compliant supply chain that ensures your organization’s success.
How TrusTrace Can Help
TrusTrace offers a market-leading platform for supply chain traceability and compliance that enables brands and suppliers around the world to standardize how supply chain and material traceability data is captured, digitized and shared. Through its AI-enhanced platform, TrusTrace empowers brands to gather and validate primary data from their supply chains, so they can know, prove and improve their impact. The data can be used for risk management, compliance, product claims, footprint calculations, the ability to confidently and easily share data about product origin and impact, and much more.
Ready to transform the way you are working with data? Contact Sales to get a demo of the TrusTrace platform.
