Process based archival descriptions – organizational and process challenges

Purpose – The paper presents the implementation and classification of archival records according to business processes, a new field with many organizational and archival challenges. The purpose of the paper is to map the current situation, challenges, problems and topics for further investigation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a wide benchmark study on information management in governmental agencies, municipalities and regions/country councils in Sweden. Findings – There are many general similarities with process projects regarding management initiatives and roles. There is also a need for alignment between the business organizations, the business processes, and the archival descriptions. Unresolved issues occur in modeling, e.g. from whose perspective should the processes be described and on which level is the mapping useful. The business organizations require detail in order to analyze flaws improvements, while archivists ask for a static “frozen” description at higher levels. This may contradict the purpose of the archive – to provide useful information for the unknown future user. Originality/value – Process based archival descriptions is a new field that broadens business process management. Projects are starting in several countries with challenges in the interaction between the business organizations and the archivists.