This new training course provides participants with an understanding of some of the frameworks and tools required to manage digital records appropriately.  It helps participants to understand and implement the requirements in the Standard on digital recordkeeping.

Learner profile

This course is suitable for people who have some experience in records management in the NSW public sector, including nominated senior officers, records managers and staff who have been working in records management units.  It assumes a reasonable understanding of records management principles and some experience with digital records.

NOTE: This course is not designed to assist participants with managing or operating the individual technological infrastructures they have in their workplaces.  It focuses on the recordkeeping issues associated with digital recordkeeping.

Course outcomes

By the end of this course participants should:

• recognise the opportunities and challenges provided by digital recordkeeping
• define which digital records to make and capture into digital recordkeeping systems, including web records
• understand the role of metadata in the management of digital records
• define best practice in the creation and disposal of digital records, and
• understand preservation requirements and strategies for digital records.

Course content

Introduction

• the opportunities and challenges of keeping records in digital form

Recordkeeping systems

• what are recordkeeping systems and why is it important to keep records in recordkeeping systems

• requirements of the Standard on digital recordkeeping in relation to recordkeeping systems

• how to define what records to make and keep

Metadata

• what is metadata and recordkeeping metadata
• why is metadata vital to good recordkeeping
• requirements of the Standard on digital recordkeeping in relation to metadata
• what consitutes good and bad metadata

Best practice in the creation and disposal of digital records

• what is 'best practice' in relation to the creation of digital records
• some practical tips to improve digital records creation
• scenarios for appraisal and disposal in the digital environment
• the destruction of digital records or their retention as State archives

Website recordkeeping strategy

• designing a recordkeeping strategy for web records

Preservation of digital records

• the issues with preservation and what can be done now
• the NSW Government's approach to the preservation of digital records