Essential functions are those that are critical to the organization's primary mission. The vital records are those records which the agency must have to perform the critical elements of its primary mission. This process should produce a vital records master list. This assessment must be as objective as possible. The records officer and program managers must work with all areas of the agency to determine who has the record copy of vital records and who has copies.
Close coordination can eliminate useless duplication.
Useful records - Loss of these records might cause some inconvenience but they could be easily replaced. Loss does not present a real obstacle to restoring agency operations. Important records - These records are replaceable, but at great expense. Loss presents aggravating but surmountable obstacles to resumption of operations. Vital records - These records are irreplaceable.