Trace assistance device and trace assistance method

A trace assistance method comprising:

• a memory step of storing a manipulation log in which multiple manipulation histories of an operator with respect to a board production line including a board work machine configured to perform predetermined board work on a board are recorded, and an operation log in which multiple operation histories of the board production line actuated due to a manipulation of the operator are recorded in association with each other in a memory device;
• an acquisition step of, when a predetermined trigger event occurs during the board work, acquiring a target manipulation history which is at least one manipulation history related to the trigger event, a target operation history which is at least one operation history associated with the target manipulation history, a comparison manipulation history which is at least one manipulation history that is the same as or approximates the target manipulation history, and a comparison operation history which is at least one operation history associated with the comparison manipulation history from the manipulation log and the operation log stored in the memory device;
• and
• an output step of outputting an operation of the board production line recorded in the target operation history and an operation of the board production line recorded in the comparison operation history, which are acquired in the acquisition step, in a comparable manner.