ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evaluation of records and information for business and historical retention. Deciding what records should be kept and for how long is an important task for public sector bodies. Making decisions on the continuing utility of records for an organisation's own purposes is, in effect, risk management. One important aspect about the appraisal of electronic records is that they have to be appraised at an early stage in their lives. The appraisal and disposal of records are two distinct activities, but they are inextricably linked. Functional appraisal may be seen as a subset of macro appraisal. Disposal schedules are the most important element of any records management system. The appraisal process is about research and reflection to understand an organisation and its role in the sector to which it belongs, whether that is central government, local government, the National Health Service.
