The National Archives, United KingdomThe National Archives, United KingdomTNA_9215faec-0c8b-4b6f-8495-2e2d6b5771ffLead and transform information management. Guarantee the survival of today’s information for tomorrow. Bring history to life for everyone._5d5f1d97-9d14-4c41-8e65-2495fd2d1733Preserve and protect one of the most important collections in the world, holding public records dating back almost 1,000 years [and] actively promote and encourage public access to that information, both at our Kew site and online._27b5a0a0-6b1f-4afc-8508-02d14296482eLead and transform information managementStrengthen our role as policy lead for information management_5e5cfcbc-99fb-4f03-87be-aa6c958bc7fb1Information is the lifeblood of government. Without it, decisions cannot be made, evidence-basedpolicy cannot be formulated and public services cannot be effectively delivered to society. To deliver world-class public services and guarantee public accountability, government must ensure it is capturing and effectively managing the information it is creating and receiving. Relevant information must be kept for long-term accountability and personal data must be held securely, in order to maintain the citizen’s trust in government. In response to these challenges, The National Archives is shaping information management policy, helping to develop services and guidance, and showing leadership across the public sector to highlight the vital status of information as an asset. We will continue to strengthen our role as policy lead for information management, raising capability across government via the work of the Office of Public Sector Information, the established Knowledge Council, and the Government Knowledge and Information Management team, based here at Kew. Challenge 1: Government and the wider information sector need better informationmanagement to strengthen accountability and release the potential of their assets. Our vision: Lead and transform information management By 2012 we aim to: • Shape future government information policy, from information creation to re-use • Show leadership in helping the public sector understand the importance of good informationmanagement • Create a common infrastructure of services and guidance to support these aimsKnowledge and Information ManagementProvide leadership and support for the Knowledge and Information Management function in government_04eb750f-d625-4ecd-bac2-c5b643fdc7c41.1We will provide leadership and support for the Knowledge and Information Management function in government by bringing together information professionals to create a Government Knowledge and Information Management Network. We will lead the development and implementation of a professionalism programme to build capability and expertiseStakeholder EngagementReinforce our leadership by engaging with stakeholder_4a52c0e7-86dc-4acc-9c4d-22b59b30a0bc1.2We will reinforce our leadership by engaging with stakeholder communities across the public and private sectors, attaining national and international reachInformation Policy and StrategyShape information policy and strategy across the United Kingdom_11a8eaf3-b8b9-4295-9924-9c1132b083cc1.3Drawing on our expertise in information handling and management we will shape information policy and strategy across the United Kingdom, reinforcing our leadership role and transforming our information portfolioAdvisory ServicesProviding advisory services, underpinned by assessment, regulation, mediation and complaints handling_0f1264ce-f148-4cbc-9420-3b42bc56efc21.4We will set standards for information management across the public sector by providing robust and respected advisory services, underpinned by assessment, regulation, mediation and complaints handlingEmerging TechnologyMaintain a cutting edge position in information and communication technology_e9532bbf-967d-427a-9125-26da22e2a5b11.5We will maintain a cutting edge position in information and communication technology, by interaction with the information industry, and innovation in the application of new technologies to our services and practicesServices and ExpertiseProvide high quality outward facing services to share our expertise_b4e7eec1-52b1-49ab-9cf2-83d8394617891.6We will provide high quality outward facing services to share our expertise across the broad information spectrum we embraceBest Practices and InnovationPromote best practice and innovation_63a16fa7-cd63-4879-b373-be51b14b60101.7We will promote best practice and innovation that positions The National Archives as a pioneer practitioner and a centre of excellence in the United Kingdom and internationallyInformation SurvivalGuarantee the survival of today’s information for tomorrow_56fb1ee5-f0ea-4139-9433-f3f9690cf9562The information world is full of energy and innovation, with continually evolving technologies and services. Paper is no longer the dominant medium. Key information is held in websites or ‘wikis’ as well as digital files created on a range of different computer systems. In this constantly evolving environment, government must take active steps to preserve the information it’s creating electronically, as well as maintain our existing paper heritage. Looking after the nation’s existing records is a fundamental part of The National Archives’ role. We continue to build on our expertise in preservation and conservation and to provide advice on standards across the archival community. But, crucially, we are also rising to the challenge of ensuring the survival of digital information for future generations. We are devising innovative technical solutions, for use across government and the wider public sector, to make digital information accessible and readable for both today’s business and tomorrow’s history. But, of course, paper doesn’t go away. We will continue to take in paper records, in addition to the 175km of shelving of paper records that is already here, which needs preserving for centuries to come. Challenge 2: In addition to preserving the nation’s existing paper records, we need to rise to the new challenge of ensuring the ongoing readability of digital information for future generations. Our vision: Guarantee the survival of today’s information for tomorrow By 2012 we aim to: • Preserve records of all kinds; physically at The National Archives, and through our influence elsewhere • Work with others in the United Kingdom to ensure that between us, the right information is preserved for today’s business and tomorrow’s history • Collaborate across the world to share expertise and innovationCentre of ExcellenceProvide a centre of excellence on all aspects of preservation, conservation and collection development_edbaa2c8-7ae9-46b6-a588-a4f7b444eac22.1We will provide a centre of excellence on all aspects of preservation, conservation and collection development, from paper and parchment to digital and web content, by pioneering research and innovation in techniques to the benefit of the government and archive community and for Britain’s heritageLongterm ReadabilityExpand our capability to ensure longterm readability of digital records across government_b5498ed4-eab8-4af6-88e7-9d75d06215322.2We will expand our capability to ensure longterm readability of digital records across government, whether in document format or as websites, by development of shared services, trusted guidance and innovative, reliable technical solutions which meet the needs of our government customersCollection EnvironmentMaintain the appropriate environmental conditions for the preservation of our own collection_30550e11-86bc-4ffd-9d33-510f71ba5b8f2.3We will maintain the appropriate environmental conditions for the preservation of our own collection, working with the wider conservation community to share and promote research and best practiceArchives StrategyDevelop a new Government Strategy for Archives_9aa1b304-2339-47ad-8c0b-dc452c4b5de72.4We will support the wider Archival sector through leading the development of a new Government Strategy for Archives, which recognises the value of the archival sector to the United Kingdom, and helps us achieve even more through joined-up working across the sectorDigital InformationDevelop our capability to preserve the integrity and readability of digital information_8fad99b3-8bf7-40e3-ba4b-f49545d3828f2.5We will develop our capability to preserve the integrity and readability of digital information held within The National Archives, in formats that meet the needs of our researchersLiving HistoryBring history to life for everyone_d8a68b79-3096-4a29-864f-c96c0ce3ee583Archives make a positive difference to people’s lives by connecting them to the past. Increasingly,people expect to find, use and learn from information online. Our vision recognises our commitment to providing people worldwide with access to our records, and to helping everyone use them to enrich their lives. The National Archives has built up a strong reputation for delivering services that are highly responsive to customer needs. Our strategy for the future continues to focus on providing extensive access to our content online, so that researchers in all fields can find the information they want wherever they are based. This will also allow us to provide more focused specialist services onsite, for those who wish to consult original records, or take face-to-face advice from our staff. Challenge 3: Increasingly people expect to find, use and learn from information online. They expect it to be personalised and connected to their wider life. They expect to have it immediately. Our vision: Bring history to life for everyone By 2012 we aim to: • Make a positive difference to people’s future by connecting them to the past • Provide researchers and customers wherever they are with easy access to records and expertise, with innovative online services, connected to trusted partners • Increasingly focus our reading rooms on being a centre for expert help and specialist researchOnsite ServicesReview and consolidate our onsite services_9f30b8f8-2dc4-4519-bee6-a4738a9681d13.1We will review and consolidate our onsite services so that we offer a world-class integrated research facility at Kew following the relocation of our Family Records Centre services in March 2008Expertise OnlineMake our own expertise available to online users_2f2226dd-e888-467a-be9a-87ac55bdd0803.2We will increasingly make our own expertise available to online users, developing our catalogue and easy to use tools for locating and interpreting research informationCensus OnlineLaunch our 1911 census online service to the public_c6aa2470-2438-4248-b568-398e1645db823.3We will launch our 1911 census online service to the public, beginning the release to researchers of the largest collection of census records available to dateResearch ToolsDevelop collaborative research tools_ae3c8ca9-e8ad-4bfb-b961-82c5e4c770683.4We will develop collaborative research tools, which will provide a platform for researchers to contribute their own expertise and build stronger communities of knowledge available to allRecords OnlineMake increasing numbers of popular records available online_13bbd125-3835-4762-8e93-9b5f136bb1cb3.5We will continue to meet customer needs by making increasing numbers of popular records available online. This will be done cost effectively by the continued digitisation of popular sources with our partners and developing our own online service platformsGuidance and AdviceOffer guidance and advisory services_58c35f4e-74f0-45b2-932d-da70d814860b3.6We will offer guidance and advisory services that are respected and valued to government, the wider archive community and the higher education sector to support the development of standards, research and innovative services across the sectorsOnline ServicesOffer world-class online services_4fc831df-e401-4108-804a-86b6a0cdc6183.7We will offer world-class online services. Our family of websites will exploit the possibilities offered by emerging technology and current web developments, providing more varied, targeted and innovative services and improved search mechanismsOrganisational CapabilityAchieve this Vision through a capable, flexible organisation_2349bded-54d1-4e44-ae07-bcf6a3d4a2514The National Archives continues to aim to deliver a highly ambitious strategy at a time of tight financial constraints and increasing environmental awareness. We are meeting the digital challenge, which means dealing with digital content as well as paper. And we have taken responsibility for raising standards across the information and archive sector, which can, at times, be resource intensive, but which we believe is critical to the future of The National Archives. To achieve this, we must support our staff properly in developing new knowledge and skills during aperiod of rapid and profound change. Having identified the key skills and behaviours needed to deliver The National Archives’ Vision, we are now investing in staff development programmes at all levels of the organisation to embed them, ensuring that we build on the existing high levels of motivation and engagement. And we are also working to ensure that we maintain the high levels of trust that our users already have in our services by continuing to develop our support services, including our facilities and environmental controls.Skills and MotivationEnsure we have the right skills and motivation to deliver our vision_ba3958ab-3651-4969-9ac8-f15837fd2d274.1We will work together to ensure we have the right skills and motivation to deliver our vision. Building on our recent Investors in People (IiP) re-accreditation, we will continue to support staff through a period of change to enable us to deliver the vision through new ways of workingFacilities and BuildingsImprove the management of our facilities and buildings_25d47d35-a8d6-4e1c-8119-ba39bc0a89554.2We will improve the management of our facilities and buildings for the benefit of staff, and our collections, ensuring that we improve our environmental awareness and lower our energy usageAccessibilityEnsure that our services and communications are accessible_72473675-e3b3-4fe9-bfcf-664ab90d236e4.3We will ensure that our services and communications are accessible to, and welcoming of, people from all backgrounds, and that we increase the diversity of our workforceConfidentiality and IntegrityEnsure the confidentiality and integrity of The National Archives systems_ef4fa985-a024-4c83-afb7-409318cce5e84.4We will ensure the confidentiality and integrity of The National Archives systems to ensure that our operations remain trusted, secure and able to meet the needs of our business as an information providerNew Developments and Changing NeedsRespond quickly and effectively to new developments and the changing needs of our stakeholders_e134b8aa-63e3-4ecd-993d-f7075b64807e4.5We will respond quickly and effectively to new developments and the changing needs of our stakeholders, ensuring our human and financial resources, skills, approaches and mechanisms are best placed to meet those needsFinancial SustainabilityGuarantee our financial sustainability_aa6378bf-b649-4164-b828-e8201624cd9f4.6We will guarantee our financial sustainability through effective management of income generating servicesIT, Finance, Facilities and HR ServicesSupport this vision through effective and efficient IT, Finance, Facilities and HR services_9a6a2662-8262-4bc8-929f-5f44a189fe4c4.7We will support this vision through effective and efficient IT, Finance, Facilities and HR services, which meet recognised benchmark standards for performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness, and are fit for the needs of the organisation2008-01-012009-12-312010-02-08http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/strategic-plan0809.pdfArthurColman (www.drybridge.com)colman@drybridge.com