Administration & secretarial · Short course
Advanced Records Management
Examining records governance, retention decisions and the management of complex records systems.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Examining records governance, retention decisions and the management of complex records systems.
The programme brings together records governance, system design, digital records and records assurance. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A multi-site organisation is integrating paper and digital records with inconsistent ownership and classification. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Records managers, information-governance staff and administrators.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Map governance responsibilities and policy gaps.
- Design a classification approach across connected business processes.
- Identify integrity and access requirements for digital records.
- Prepare an audit and improvement plan for the records system.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Records governance
This part of the programme examines records governance, with attention to policies and organisational responsibilities. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Policies.
- Organisational responsibilities.
- Applied work: map governance responsibilities and policy gaps.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map governance responsibilities and policy gaps. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02System design
This part of the programme examines system design, with attention to classification and complex information flows. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Classification.
- Complex information flows.
- Applied work: design a classification approach across connected business processes.
Illustrative practical exercise
Design a classification approach across connected business processes. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Digital records
This part of the programme examines digital records, with attention to access, integrity and lifecycle controls. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Access.
- Integrity.
- Lifecycle controls.
- Applied work: identify integrity and access requirements for digital records.
Illustrative practical exercise
Identify integrity and access requirements for digital records. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Records assurance
This part of the programme examines records assurance, with attention to auditing practice and planning improvements. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Auditing practice.
- Planning improvements.
- Applied work: prepare an audit and improvement plan for the records system.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare an audit and improvement plan for the records system. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A multi-site organisation is integrating paper and digital records with inconsistent ownership and classification. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.