Release of 2014 SAO Report Summary

We are pleased to announce we have completed a review of the 2014 Senior Agency Official (SAO) Reports. The results have been issued in a Summary Report available here (.pdf). These reports cover activities in agencies during calendar year 2014.

Acting Chief Records Officer for the U.S. Government, Laurence Brewer, said “The report provides important information on the progress agencies are making in meeting the targets of the Managing Government Records Directive. In particular, two of the pivotal targets, managing all agency email in electronic format by the end of 2016 and managing all permanent electronic records in an electronic format by the end of 2019, are important features in this year’s report.  Senior Agency Officials are reporting they are making progress towards those targets.”

The analysis of the 2014 SAO Reports showed that:

• An overwhelming majority of SAOs (93%) reported they would meet the email target by the due date of the end of 2016
• SAOs (87%) reported they are exploring ways to manage permanent electronic records in an electronic format by the end of 2019
• A number of agencies are exploring the Capstone Approach for managing email
• Agencies are addressing records management training. The vast majority of agencies reported making substantial progress in implementing records management training methods for all staff. Further, many agency records officers have already obtained NARA’s Certificate of Federal Records Management Training
• Agencies are seeking assistance from NARA regarding how to successfully implement the Directive. In particular, smaller agencies cite limited resources and personnel as challenges they face in successfully meeting electronic records requirements
• Agencies are using commercially available software products. Many software products were mentioned, and agencies indicate they are using existing, commercial products instead of developing their own.

Several weeks ago, we sent agencies information about the current 2015 reporting cycle. Agencies have until January 29, 2016 to submit their information.

If you have any questions about the SAO reporting process, please leave a comment or contact PRMD@nara.gov.