The survey and inventory data collected on the records and information maintained by your organization is used to compile a records retention schedule-refer to IIMC Records Management Technical Bulletin No. 3. By appraising this data, you will be able to establish reasonable retention periods, maintenance specifications and disposition procedures. By following a retention schedule, systematic control of information from its creation to final disposition is established.
Retention schedules are the most important part of a records management plan.
Retention schedules reflect the length of time that records have operational, legal, fiscal, or historical value. Your state may have special requirements for establishing a retention schedule, such as submitting it for approval by the agency or a board. Benefits of a Schedule Ensures that records needed for legal, fiscal, or administrative use will not be destroyed prematurely. Determines when records may be transferred to inactive storage or to another repository for permanent storage. Allows records that are no longer useful to be destroyed legally.