What does a digital archive policy outline?

A digital archive policy is a crucial document that delineates an organization's overall strategy and principles for managing its digital materials. This includes outlining practices for the creation, preservation, access, and dissemination of digital content, ensuring that digital assets are managed effectively throughout their lifecycle. The policy encompasses critical elements such as the goals for digital archiving, the types of materials to be archived, retention schedules, and guidelines for digital preservation and access.

While budget allocation for digital projects, technology platforms, and staff roles are important aspects of operational planning, they fall under broader categories of project implementation rather than defining the overarching philosophy and framework for managing digital materials. Therefore, the correct focus of a digital archive policy is encapsulated in its role as a guideline for an organization's approach to handling its digital content comprehensively.