July 11, 2012

Principles Of Records Management

Records management is based on the different principles such as principle of classification, principle of verification, principle of purpose, principle of availability, principle of flexibility, principle of low cost and principle of retention.

The main principles of records management can be described as follows:

1. Principle of classification

Records should be classified properly. They can be classified according to use, time, subject and chronology.

2. Principle of verification

This is another important principle of records management. Records should be verifiable as needed. They become valueless and meaningless without verification.

3. Principle of purpose

Records should be maintained with a justifiable and clear purpose. Records without purposes are waste of time, labor and money.

4. Principle of availability
  
This principle of records management states that, records should provide the needed information as and when needed. They should be available on time.

                                     
5. Principle of flexibility

Record management should be flexible. It should be subject to expansion or contraction according to business requirement.

6. Principle of reasonable cost

The cost of record management should be reasonable. More money should be spent on permanent and important records. Money should not be spent on unnecessary records.

7. Principle of retention
  
Records should be retained for required time only. Permanent records should be retained till the life of the organization. Important records should be retained for a longer period. Temporary records should be retained for a shorter period. Unnecessary records should be destroyed.