Stage 1: Setting performance objectives

How to set objectives

Clearly define performance objectives and their relationship to the objectives of the records management program.

Planning documentation for the records management program (that is, the action and strategic planning documentation) should set out the objectives of the program for the period covered by the plans.

These objectives could relate to very different aspects of the program, from assessing the quality of records management services to ensuring the creation and capture of records across the organisation.

Examples of performance objectives

• All staff create and keep full and accurate records.
• All staff can find records when they need to.
• All staff are aware of the organisational policy/rules for managing email, for managing corporate data on mobile devices or for storing data on removable storage devices.
• Records are stored securely and protected from unauthorised access, alteration, deletion or loss.
• Records in both paper and digital systems are disposed of accountably.
• Records are captured into official recordkeeping systems.
• All recordkeeping requirements for high-risk business processes are identified and documented.
• All business systems that create and keep records have been identified.
• All business systems that keep records of high-risk business processes have been assessed for recordkeeping functionality.

The performance of new recordkeeping systems, tools and processes should be targeted in organisational performance objectives and measures. Project plans should include useful performance measures for new systems.

Deciding what is good practice

There are several ways of determining good practice for recordkeeping and records management in your organisation. The table below sets out some useful resources and the reasons why they may be useful in establishing good practice.