Phases for the document assessment process

Abstract

Since its inception, documentary assessment has been considered one of the most critical processes in the work of the archivist because its malpractice may result in the unnecessary elimination of permanent and/or essential documents. In the same way, it could cause the documentary series not to fulfill their life cycle and, in addition, to be kept for more than the required time. Given the above, in the present investigation the documentary assessment, its benefits and principles related to this process will be defined; to then identify the evaluation phases proposed by some authors or writers. Subsequently, a methodological proposal is presented for the elaboration of an Archival Documentary Control Program (PCDA).