Topical posts. General guidance on various subjects in the field of records and information management.
Administratively Valuable (AV) is a retention code that stirs a lot of questions. How long is AV? What even is AV? Can you say “Administratively Valuable” five times fast? While we analysts at TSLAC can point out best practices and strategies regarding this retention code, we can only speculate so much. To offer a different…
How many duplicates of a record must a government keep for the full retention period? In terms of records management laws and rules, one copy of a record must be kept for the full retention period, and we call this the “official record copy.” Any identical copies of the official record copy are considered “convenience…
Shared file environments can be a real challenge to organize and maintain. Below are some tips to help your shared drive structures get into and stay in shape. Consistency Structure and Control Change Management Disposition Shared drives can be chaotic, but they don’t have to be that way. Employing simple techniques like the ones above…
Some of the consulting questions we receive revolve around the subject of how to manage email and email records. From those questions the matter becomes how should a government entity address the management of its email. The best way an entity can capture their practices and procedures for email management is to create a policy.…
You grab your popcorn and snuggle down under a blanket to watch your favorite sci-fi movie or fantasy show. For a moment, you are whisked away from mundane reality—only to be brought back down to earth when the characters seem to be acting out scenes from your own workplace. We call this state of mind:…
Records and information management programs are at the heart of every organization. Records contain information that staff need to continue operations, complete daily tasks, and provide reasoning for an organization’s actions. Good records and information management ensures that stakeholders are satisfied that they have proper access to the information they need. Additionally, protecting records ensures…
Here at TSLAC we spend a lot of time teaching Texas governments about the benefits of timely disposition. It’s equally important for governments to understand when records should not be destroyed. These situations are called: destruction holds. Normally, records may be destroyed when they have met their full retention period as described on each government’s…
It’s April, and that means spring is here! With spring, comes spring cleaning! Out with the old and in with the new. In the Records Management (RM) world that means it’s time to tidy up our records management systems, make sure the team is involved, make sure retention periods are up to date, or start…