Managing Government Records Browse Popular ideas

Compliance is a reaction to both internal and external requirements. Compliance requirements can best be met by modifying an organization's current RIM state into a more compliant state.
A first step in this process is to design a customized strategic information management plan and roadmap. One key objective of this process is to transfer information management design from the vendor back to the client.
The SIM plan... more »

Like what was done for FOIA, issue a directive for each agency requiring them to appoint a Chief Records Officer who is a peer of the CIO. This must be a full time position. This will help significantly to ensure that records management issues are considered when deploying new electronic systems.

This position should require an individual who has the following skills:
Records Management
Information Technology
Legal... more »

The Federal Government can learn from the private sector where over 25,000 businesses select offsite storage companies who offer Class 125 Media Rated Vault Chambers for their disaster recovery records.

Also, this trend has been recognized by State Government where the State Archives of Indiana, Texas and Washington installed Class 125 Media Storage Vaults.

Currently the Federal Government fails to recognize the much... more »

While an overhaul at the agency level is necessary, I wonder if the units within each agency will be overlooked in the process. My unit is very often overlooked by our governing agency - forgotten at the bottom of the morass. We are trying to follow records management procedures, but feel that our agency and NARA just doesn't seem to care, therefore records management is put on the backburner.

A mandate is all well-and-good,... more »

I have been scratching my head regarding NARA reaching out to the RM Community for solicitation of ideas to transform Federal RM to the 21st Century. I was struck by the thought that we have always looked to NARA as the authority and mentor for RM constructs. After all we are tax payers also and should expect this very important Federal Agency to not only provide the "best of breed" RM services and processes in the... more »

Of course, it’s an obvious idea. The problem is, the best practices don’t collect themselves, and someone should do the collecting, analysis and dissemination. At present it’s especially important to collect and share cloud experience.

Many practitioners aren’t good at communicating their successes. NARA could help them by providing advice, suitable forum and encouragement. It would be helpful to compile a directory... more »

My idea is that NARA be enabled to staff appraisal archivists and building inspectors that REGULARLY review agency records ON-SITE. Self agency reviews are not sufficient. NARA needs to be empowered and resourced to ensure that our Republic is documented through the ages. Done in a positive manner, these on-site teams can be seen as assets by the agencies.

Although Subchapter B was reorganized in 2009 and went through the Federal Register process, little changed. The words were simply put in different places.
Existing practices as described may have suited the Federal Agencies in the past, but they haven't kept up with the times. Funding and staffing is shrinking and the manner in which records are created has changed completely from the manner in which the CFR was written... more »

The ascendency of information management over records management began in 1985 with the publication of OMB Circular A-130. Since then records management in Federal agencies has diminished in significance to the steadily expanding universe of information creation, use, and sharing throughout the Government. Records management has always been a part of the information mangement process, however, it deals with information... more »

Transparency in actions and accountability of activities by government are two of the most important aspects of American democracy. By expecting openness in communication with the citizenry, a trusting relationship can be built between public employees and the individuals they serve thus creating effective government that meets the needs of the people. A primary means of guaranteeing Open Government is to support and... more »

Prior to coming to NARA, I knew that I should be managing my own records better, but didn't know how or where to turn. What about a short orientation for every Federal employee/citizen, perhaps as part of the mandatory Ethics training, on how to make your own records, open and accessible to all, now and for the future. A one-page handout made available to every employee would help as a reminder; and it could be posted... more »

Dear Sirs,

My name is Max Inui at JVC Advanced Media.

We have just launched a new Archiving and Migration solution on optical discs, DVD-R. DVDR technology is not a new technology but what we have launched has a completely new approach and the new concept. I appreciate if you could study the below. I am sure that the most of the preservation is done on the cloud but optical discs are suitable as off-line archiving for... more »

If we, who identify as records and informant professionals, are given a chance, we will add greatly to the president’s reformation initiative. We must seize the day and be accountable partners in this great enterprise with President Obama. We must insist that our organizations take a leadership role in the presidential initiative. ARMA, NARA, and AIMM must all be responsible advocates for our profession.

I am... more »

President Obama stated, “The current federal records management system is based on an outdated approach involving paper and filing cabinets.” NARA suggested ideas about reducing unnecessary costs and burdens. Instead of each Agency spending staff resources and funds to develop and implement its own federally compliant electronic recordkeeping system, NARA should offer this as a service, like they do for our paper records... more »

Many colleagues believe in the organizational measures like CRO for each agency. Why not make one step further and implement ISO-approved Management System for Records? Corresponding ISO standards ISO 30300/30301 were published at the end of 2011. This management system is very much alike (and compatible with) Quality Management System (ISO 9000). The details can be found here: http://isotc.iso.org/livelink/livelink/fetch/-8800112/8800136/8800147/11600905/N1235_ISO_Focus_MSR_article_-_January_2012.pdf?nodeid=12284781&vernum=-2... more »