Analysis: Straightening Out the Paper Trail

The ever-changing nature of conducting business in a networked digital world has put a whole new twist on the government's paper trail. Now federal agencies must think in broader and more collaborative ways about their records management challenges.

In November 2011, President Obama issued a memorandum on reforming records management, requiring agencies to conduct self-assessments of their policies and practices. Those reports, due March 27, will provide grist for a directive to be issued 120 days later by the Office of Management and Budget and the National Archives and Records Administration on improving records management in six areas, including accountability, compliance, public access and transitioning to electronic record-keeping...