GARP - The Principle of Transparency

Clearly Understood Recordkeeping Creates Clearly Understood RecordsThe eighth and final Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principle deals with Transparency.  ARMA’s guidelines, found in the download section of our website, state:  “The processes and activities of an organization’s recordkeeping program shall be documented in an understandable manner and be available to all personnel and appropriate interested parties.”

All organizations must keep records, and the processes used to create and maintain those records should be clearly outlined and understandable, as well as available to legitimately interested parties. 

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GARP - The Principle of Disposition

Destruction of Records Must Maintain ConfidentialityThe seventh Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principle covers Disposition.  ARMA’s guidelines, found in the download section of the CanDox website, state:  “An organization shall provide secure and appropriate disposition for records that are no longer required to be maintained by applicable laws and the organization’s policies.”

At the end of a record’s useful life cycle, it must be designated for disposition.  In many cases, this means destruction, but could also mean that files are returned to clients, transferred to another organization, or transferred for ongoing preservation to an archive or records management firm. 

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GARP - The Principle of Compliance

Recordkeeping Policy Must Comply with CRA's Laws and RegulationsThe fourth Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principle deals with Compliance.  ARMA’s guidelines, found in the download section of this website, state:  “The recordkeeping program shall be constructed to comply with applicable laws and other binding authorities, as well as the organization's policies.”

According to policy, and according to law – simple as that.  Or is it?

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GARP - The Principle of Protection

Protection of Information is Vital to Records ManagementThe third Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principle is Protection.  ARMA’s guidelines, found in the download section of the CanDox website, state:  “A recordkeeping program shall be constructed to ensure a reasonable level of protection to records and information that are private, confidential, privileged, secret, or essential to business continuity.”

Protecting records throughout their lifecycle is the core of good records management. 

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GARP - The Principle of Integrity

Reliability and Accuracy Maintain Recordkeeping IntegrityThe Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles continue with Integrity.  ARMA’s guidelines, found in the download section of this website, state:  “A recordkeeping program shall be constructed so the records and information generated or managed by or for the organization have a reasonable and suitable guarantee of authenticity and reliability.”

In this case, integrity is the ability to prove that records are authentic and unaltered. 

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