Tetris or Puzzle – which one fits your world better?

🎮 Tetris or Puzzle – which one fits your world better?

Or maybe it’s the same… because none of us really have time for either 😉

In our field, though, the difference matters: Tetris is about speed and movement, while a puzzle is about structure and control.

A strong Audit Trail needs both — quick reaction and a complete, traceable picture.

🧩 The logic of completeness

I’ve always loved logic and order — that feeling when every piece falls into place. My kids still laugh at how I treat everyday life like Tetris (see: the perfectly packed suitcase).

That same logic drives my view of Audit Trails — connecting actions, changes, and approvals into one reliable record of truth.

📜 What regulators expect

As defined by EU Annex 11 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11:

Every change must capture Who, When, What, and Why — user ID, timestamp, old/new values, and Reason for Change.

Records must stay readable, secure, unalterable, and accessible across the data lifecycle.

Organizations must ensure role segregation, time sync, and periodic review for continuous integrity.

⚙️ The real-world challenge

Systems hold millions of records, endless user actions, and complex integrations. The question isn’t why to log — it’s how to do it efficiently, without draining performance or patience.

🧠 Risk-Based, Lean & Compliant Implementation

1️⃣ Map critical events: Focus on changes that impact quality, status, or permissions.

2️⃣ Adjust depth to risk: Not all actions need full detail; balance load vs. value.

3️⃣ Control Reason for Change: Predefined list + clear exceptions for free text.

4️⃣ Retention & Archiving: Prevent “data obesity” while preserving traceability.

5️⃣ Investigation-ready reports: “Who/What/When/Where/Why” in two clicks.

6️⃣ Monitor health: Check time drift, sequence gaps, and deletion attempts.

⏱️ Balancing time and trust

Apply the 80/20 rule: prioritize high-impact events.

Automate cross-system checks and syncs.

Simplify the user experience — fewer pop-ups, more clarity.

🔚 Bottom line

Like in Tetris, completeness isn’t luck — it’s structure, timing, and respect for people’s time.

A well-designed Audit Trail isn’t bureaucracy; it’s a trust engine that protects data, supports decisions, and keeps your quality story whole.

💬 So — in your system, what wins? Tetris speed or the puzzle picture?