Preservation Lifecycle
The digital preservation lifecycle refers to all of the stages required to preserve and sustain access to digital content; from creation to ingest, management and administration to access and reuse.
Child Tags
Access, Use and ReuseCreate or Receive (Acquire)DisposalIngestPreservation ActionPreservation PlanningStorage
Articles
Member's Lounge Special - DPC RAM
DPC Members are invited to drop-in for one hour of open discussion on the topic of the DPC's Rapid Assessment Model (RAM). If you can, do have a look at the DPC RAM web pages before joining the webinar and have a go at applying the model to your own organisation. This Member's Lounge Special allows members to share experiences about applying the RAM, give feedback on the model and ask questions. If you want to find out more about the background to the DPC RAM and how it was created, do...
DPC launches Rapid Assessment Model (DPC RAM)
The Digital Preservation Coalition has launched its new maturity model, the DPC Rapid Assessment Model, at iPRES2019 in Amsterdam this week. Designed to enable rapid benchmarking of an organization’s digital preservation capability, the DPC RAM is a digital preservation maturity modelling tool which aims to be applicable for organizations of any size in any sector, and for all content of long-term value. Developed in conjunction with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in the UK, and based...
Introducing the DPC RAM
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t control it.” Martin Robb, National Programme Manager, NDA I’ve heard this phrase several times since starting work on a digital preservation project with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority here in the UK. Colleagues at the NDA were very keen that as part of our two year project with them, we found an appropropriate way of measuring where they are now in their digital preservation journey and establishing a clear direction of travel. Maturity...
DPC Rapid Assessment Model introductory webinar
Members, please sign in to watch the recording This members-only webinar introduces the DPC's newest member benefit - the Rapid Assessment Model (RAM). Topics include: how and why it was created who it is for how it should be used benefits for DPC members how to give feedback We are joined by DPC Members who have already applied the RAM. They share some observations about the model and how it might help them move forward with digital preservation within their own...
How to level up with DPC RAM
The following resources are provided to help you to move forward with digital preservation after carrying out a RAM assessment. The resources are organized using the 11 sections of DPC RAM so you can quickly skip to the relevant resources if you want to focus on making progress in a particular area. We are keen that the community learns from the work that others have carried out, so: Please contact us if you have suggestions of other resources to add to...
How often should DPC RAM be used?
DPC RAM has continuous improvement at its core! Though it can be used for a one-off exercise it is recommended that it is applied on a more regular basis to highlight progress or demonstrate where further resource is required. It has been designed to provide a rapid assessment of current capabilities so it should not be too onerous a task to apply it on a regular schedule. DPC Members will be encouraged to complete DPC RAM on an annual basis. "The DPC RAM was an easy...
How should DPC RAM be used?
Applying DPC RAM should be fairly straightforward but there are a few important things to note: The bulleted lists provided as examples within each of the sections are provided as illustrative examples only - you don’t have to tick them all off before you have attained a level. They may not all apply to the context in which you work, or you may have other things that you do that help you reach that level. Make an honest and realistic assessment which level best fits your current...
How long will it take to use DPC RAM?
The model is designed to be relatively quick and easy to use for any organization charged with preserving digital information for the long term. Some institutions have applied this model in less than 1 hour. For others it may take longer, particularly if wider consultation with a range of colleagues is required or if multiple streams of digital content are being assessed. Note that though establishing where your organization is using DPC RAM may be a relatively quick process, it...
Who can use DPC RAM?
DPC RAM can be used by any organization with a need to preserve digital information for the long term. It should be possible to apply it regardless of the sector in which you work or the type of information that is being preserved. The maturity levels are based on existing good practice and try to be agnostic to particular preservation strategies or approaches. DPC RAM for DPC Members Whilst the model is freely available for anyone to use, DPC Members will have the additional...
Who can use DPC RAM?
DPC RAM can be used by any organization with a need to preserve digital information for the long term. It should be possible to apply it regardless of the sector in which you work or the type of information that is being preserved. The maturity levels are based on existing good practice and try to be agnostic to particular preservation strategies or approaches. DPC RAM for DPC Members Whilst the model is freely available for anyone to use, DPC Members will have the additional...
What to do after DPC RAM
After completing your DPC RAM assessment you may want to follow up with some further activities: Share your assessment with colleagues and senior managers within your organization. A copy of the assessment can be used as a conversation starter to talk about where you are now and what areas would benefit from improvement. Use the results of your assessment as evidence within a business case for digital preservation as it will help to effectively illustrate gaps and priority...
DPC Rapid Assessment Model
The DPC Rapid Assessment Model (DPC RAM) is a digital preservation maturity modelling tool that has been designed to enable rapid benchmarking of an organization’s digital preservation capability. The full DPC RAM model and a worksheet for recording and visualizing results can be downloaded below, or scroll down to find translations of the model. DOWNLOAD dpc ram (PDF) DOWNLOAD WORKSHEET (XLSX) Watch Introductory Video This video gives...
Getting Started and Making Progress training modules
Face to face training is available on request for members. This page provides access to the training resources for the Getting Started and Making Progress courses. Getting Started with Digital Preservation 'Getting Started with Digital Preservation' introduces delegates to common digitial preservation concepts and issues before walking them through the firsts steps they can take to manage their digital assets. This includes bit-level preservation, assessing their digital preservation...
Web Archiving & Preservation Working Group
Web Archiving & Preservation Working Group What is the Web Archiving & Preservation Working Group? The Web Archiving and Preservation Working Group (previously the Web Archiving & Preservation Task Force) provides a forum for participants to share their experiences, establish common goals, and inform their own policy development. It provides a mutually supportive environment for continued programme and policy development for DPC members and a mechanism through which non-members...
A foot in the door is worth two on the desk
Shibboleth I am asked, from time to time, how to persuade management that digital preservation matters. It’s a puzzling question in context and content. For a start, I am not sure I have ever persuaded anyone of anything. I have been on hand when people persuaded themselves but that’s not the same thing. It’s like finding the fire brigade at the scene of every major fire and assuming they are to blame. Moreover, I am not sure it’s possible to offer a global shibboleth for digital preservation...
Career Development Fund
Workforce Development in Digital Preservation The DPC recognizes the very great need among our members for access to specialist training for professional development, as well as the very great risks and costs that are incurred by those that provide and deliver such training. The DPC Career Development Fund (previously known as the Leadership Programme) has been created with the help of DPC’s Supporters to offer an on-going programme of grants so that our members can attend training and...
Preservation Planning for Personal Digital Collections by Paul Wilson
A condensed version of this case note also appears in the Technology Watch Report Personal Digital Archiving by Gabriela Redwine. Paul Wilson’s case note summarizes his attempts to find a suitable preservation planning process and associated documentation to apply to his personal digital collections. Since he could find no preservation planning process appropriate to individuals, he obtained a slide set detailing a simple preservation workflow from the Digital Preservation Coalition, and used...