And even at organizations large enough to have information technology specialists, they are usually poorly connected with operational staff. But we'll all still have to address our own bad habits. Divide into working files, if current, and reference files if it requires no action. If it has long-term historical or legal reference value, put it in an archive files system. If a copy of the document can be found somewhere else if needed, throw it away.
Personal computer Create a file system for the document files in the computer.
Create a file system for retained E-mail and fax messages. Have these systems mirror the organization of the rest of your information. Transfer those documents you wish to retain into their appropriate electronic folders, titled 1working, 2reference and 3archive and create a set of subfolders under each of these that matches the ones you have created for your paper files. Continuously evaluate the information you process, regularly eliminating all non-essential information at its source.