Phased processing and the cost performance

An analysis of American archival manuals

Abstract

Japanese archival methods of arrangement and description have sometimes been criticized as not being cost-effective. Paradoxically, the concept of “phased archival processing”, which is based on Western archival theories and principles and which was propounded in 1980s, does in fact seemtocontributetothecost­ effective processing of records.

This article examines four standard processing manuals published in USA and explores the following issues: 1) How records are arranged by series; 2) The extent to which records should be processed intellectually, and 3) The extent to which records should be physically processed. The overall conclusion of the analysis is that American manuals actually emphasize the cost effectiveness of those processing tasks. This should be taken into account in Japan when interpreting and applying the Western tradition of “phased archival processing”.