# Configuring Trend Charts

Trend Charts allow Veeva LIMS users to view embedded statistical process control charts on a given *Spec Execution* to:

* Compare a batch's results against previous batch results and determine whether it's in control or out of trend.
* Analyze stability trending in order to identify regression results that are trending towards an earlier than expected expiration, thus proactively preventing product or process failures and recalls before they become specification failures.

To configure the Trend Charts feature for use:

1. Configure a related section to the *Trend Chart Definition* object on the *Spec Data* detail page.
2. <a href="/en/gr/26387/#how-to-add-sections">Add the *Trend Charts Summary* section</a> to the *Batch Release, Spec Execution*, and *Stability* page layouts.
3. <a href="/en/gr/32857/#enable">Enable</a> the *Trend Chart Definition* and *Trend Chart* object types.
4. <a href="/en/gr/15057/#customizestandardobjects">Set</a> the *View Trend Chart* action on the *Spec Execution* object to **Active**.
5. Configure the *Review Trend Chart* action as a <a href="/en/gr/59885/#user-actions">user action</a> on a *Spec Execution*'s Lifecycle State.

Additionally, the following steps are optional, but recommended:
1. Add <a class="external-link " href="https://developer.veevavault.com/vql/#criteria-vql" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Criteria VQL<i class="fa fa-external-link" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> to allow only appropriate chart types to be created for each *Spec Data*.
2. Add <a class="external-link " href="https://developer.veevavault.com/vql/#criteria-vql" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Criteria VQL<i class="fa fa-external-link" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> to only allow the selection of appropriate *Result Definitions*.
3. Add <a class="external-link " href="https://developer.veevavault.com/vql/#criteria-vql" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Criteria VQL<i class="fa fa-external-link" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> to only allow the selection of appropriate *Criteria*.
4. <a href="/en/gr/15057/#how_to_add_object_fields">Configure</a> the *Shelf Life* and *Shelf Life Units* fields on the *Material* object. These are used in regression analysis to compare to the predicted shelf life.

## Required Permissions

|Gesture|Permission Required|
|-------|-------------------|
|View Trend Charts Action|Execute action|
|Trend Charts Page|View|

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      <p><strong>Note</strong>: Access to the <em>View Trend Charts</em> action and <em>Trend Charts</em> page grants access to all the results needed across all charts.</p>
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