Introduction: Project Kick-off and Initial Assessment  (Duration: 1 Month)

Introductory Tasks

1.1 IFS V8 Kick-off and Awareness

Task: Organize Kick-off Meeting

• Description: Hold a kick-off meeting to introduce the IFS V8 project to key stakeholders, discussing objectives, scope, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Deliverables: Project plan, meeting agenda, and minutes.
• Meeting: Initial consultation with senior management and the implementation team.

1.2 Perform Gap Analysis

Task: Conduct Gap Analysis Against IFS V8 Requirements

• Description: Assess the current food safety and quality management system against the IFS V8 standard to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
• Deliverables: Gap analysis report with identified non-conformities.
• Meeting: Review findings with management and the quality assurance team.

Section 1: Document Control and Quality Management System (QMS)  (Duration: 2 Months)

2.1 Develop Quality Management System Documentation

Task: Define Food Safety and Quality Policies

• Description: Create or update the organization’s food safety and quality policies in line with IFS V8 requirements. Ensure policies include customer focus, food safety, and continuous improvement.
• Deliverables: Food safety and quality policy documents.
• Meeting: Review with senior management for approval.

2.2 Document Control Procedures

Task: Establish Document Control System

• Description: Implement a document control system for managing all procedures, work instructions, and records in compliance with IFS V8. Ensure documents are reviewed, approved, and updated regularly.
• Deliverables: Document control procedures and template.
• Meeting: Train staff on the document control system.

Section 2: Food Safety and Hazard Management  (Duration: 2 Months)

3.1 Implement HACCP Plan (IFS V8 Chapter 2)

Task: Review and Update HACCP Plan

• Description: Conduct a review of the existing HACCP plan to ensure it meets IFS V8 requirements. This includes hazard identification, risk assessment, and defining critical control points (CCPs).
• Deliverables: Updated HACCP plan, hazard analysis report.
• Meeting: HACCP team meeting to review and approve changes.

3.2 Develop Food Safety and Risk Management Procedures

Task: Implement Food Safety Risk Management Procedures

• Description: Create procedures to manage food safety risks, including allergen management, contamination control, and traceability.
• Deliverables: Risk management procedures, traceability system.
• Meeting: Train staff on risk management practices.

Section 3: Product Quality and Process (Duration: 1 Month)

4.1 Define Product Specifications and Quality Control

Task: Document Product Specifications

• Description: Establish and document specifications for all raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods to ensure they meet quality and safety standards.
• Deliverables: Product specification sheets, supplier specifications.
• Meeting: Review product specifications with procurement and production teams.

4.2 Implement Process Control (IFS V8 Chapter 4)

Task: Set Up Process Monitoring and Control Procedures

• Description: Develop process control procedures for critical processes to ensure consistent product quality and compliance with IFS V8.
• Deliverables: Process monitoring reports, control charts.
• Meeting: Training session for staff on process controls and monitoring.

Section 4: Supplier Management and Traceability (Duration: 1 Month)

5.1 Supplier Selection and Evaluation (IFS V8 Chapter 4)

Task: Implement Supplier Approval Process

• Description: Establish a supplier selection and evaluation process to ensure suppliers meet the quality and safety requirements of IFS V8.
• Deliverables: Approved supplier list, supplier audit reports.
• Meeting: Review supplier performance with procurement and quality assurance teams.

5.2 Develop and Test Traceability System

Task: Implement Traceability Procedures

• Description: Develop and implement a traceability system that tracks products from raw material intake to finished product distribution, ensuring compliance with IFS V8.
• Deliverables: Traceability reports and system.
• Meeting: Conduct a traceability test and review results with the quality team.

Section 5: Internal Audits and Corrective Actions (Duration: 1 Month)

6.1 Develop Internal Audit Program (IFS V8 Chapter 5)

Task: Create an Internal Audit Plan

• Description: Establish an internal audit program to assess compliance with IFS V8 requirements, including product safety, quality, and legal compliance.
• Deliverables: Internal audit schedule, audit checklist.
• Meeting: Review audit plan with the audit team and management.

6.2 Implement Corrective and Preventive Actions

Task: Establish Corrective Action Procedures

• Description: Develop a corrective action process to address any non-conformities identified during internal audits or operational activities, focusing on root cause analysis.
• Deliverables: Corrective action log, root cause analysis reports.
• Meeting: Post-audit review meeting to implement corrective actions.

Section 6: Site Standards and Environmental Control  (Duration: 2 Months)

7.1 Implement Hygiene and Site Standards (IFS V8 Chapter 4)

Task: Develop Site Hygiene and Environmental Control Procedures

• Description: Create hygiene and sanitation procedures to ensure the production environment is clean and meets IFS V8 standards for food safety and contamination control.
• Deliverables: Cleaning schedules, hygiene protocols, sanitation logs.
• Meeting: Review and train staff on hygiene standards.

7.2 Control of Foreign Body Contamination

Task: Implement Foreign Body Control Measures

• Description: Establish controls to prevent foreign body contamination, including the use of detection systems (e.g., metal detectors) and staff training on proper handling practices.
• Deliverables: Foreign body prevention procedures, detection logs.
• Meeting: Staff training on foreign body control.

Final Assessment: Certification Preparation and External Audit(Duration: 1 Month)

8.1 Conduct Pre-Certification Internal Audit

Task: Perform a Pre-Certification Audit

• Description: Conduct a full internal audit to assess readiness for the IFS V8 certification audit. Identify any final gaps or non-conformities.
• Deliverables: Pre-certification audit report.
• Meeting: Review findings with management and finalize corrective actions.

8.2 Certification Body Selection and External Audit

Task: Select Certification Body and Schedule External Audit Conduct Internal Audit

• Description: Research and select an accredited certification body for the IFS V8 certification audit. Schedule the external audit and ensure the organization is fully prepared.
• Deliverables: Certification body selection report, audit schedule.
• Meeting: Final meeting with management and quality team to confirm readiness for certification.

This 8-month project plan for IFS Food Standard Version 8 implementation provides a structured approach to achieving certification. It covers the key areas of food safety, process control, supplier management, internal audits, and certification preparation, ensuring compliance with IFS V8 requirements by the end of the project.