There’s a maturity model called the ‘three-legged stool’?
Following on from our previous post regarding maturity models, I’d now like to bring the three-legged stool model into the archiving picture.
This model looks at three components which must be considered in tandem if your organisation is to achieve a successful and sustainable approach to digital preservation.
These three ‘legs’ comprise of technology, organisation and resources. This model demonstrates that without the consideration and maintenance of these three elements, a digital preservation programme will ultimately collapse. It is therefore a balancing act to ensure that the correct provision and attention is directed towards each element – or leg of the stool.
Breaking down the elements
The technology leg represents the necessary hardware, software and secure environments required. What should you consider?
- Storage and back-up
- Repository and preservation systems
- Security measures
The organisation leg of the stool looks at the elements required to address the organisational needs and can help drive the organisational change required for a successful digital preservation approach. What should you consider?
- Policy and strategy
- Workflows
- Risk registers & benefits models
The resources leg looks at the time, money and people requirements. These are the resources necessary to create and maintain a sustainable programme and can include:
- Business planning
- Funding
- Staff skills
- An organisational commitment to sustainability
Other than the three-legged stool model, there are many more to choose from. (we’ve detailed a few here).
For further insight to aid or improve your digital archiving efforts, download our free eBook now!
Footnotes:
Anne R. Kenney and Nancy Y. McGovern, “The Five Organizational Stages of Digital Preservation,” in Digital Libraries: A Vision for the Twenty-first Century, a festschrift to honor Wendy Lougee, 2003. Available from the University of Michigan Scholarly Monograph Series website.
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