On 2/7/07, Blake Richardson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> I am trying to determine if a study has ever been conducted and the
> findings published on the following topic:
>
> *        Percentage (average) of an organization's records, by industry,
> whose retention is governed by regulation, code, statute etc.
>
> I know that there are a number of variables that can impact this;
> however, I am just looking for some averages.  I would appreciate your
> feedback.


As you stated, there are a number of variables and they are so great that I
don't think you'll ever see anything more than a SWAG at a number.

Many posts by Messers. Whitaker, Flynn, Kurilecz and myself have frequently
stated the primary reasons for retention are to comply with laws, statutes
or regulations, to meet business needs for access to information, and to
satisfy any enduring, historic or intrinsic purposes that exceed either of
the aforementioned.

That said, the primary reason most "industries" retain information (at least
for some period of time) is because of some form of regulation.  The heavier
your industry is regulated, the more this is true.

Given a figure I've seen from NARA over the years that "1-2% of information
is archival" (enduring, historic, or intrinsic) and businesses tend to keep
**some** limited amount of information for research and reference above and
beyond any regulated requirement, I'd say that the great majority of what is
retained is for compliance with a regulation.

My SWAG for a Friday?  90+% of what is retained is to satisfy a law,
regulation or statute, at least initially.  The decision to retain it longer
than required will vary based on what you do.

Larry

-- 
Larry Medina
Danville, CA
RIM Professional since 1972

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