Changing operational environment

The Productivity Programme and other savings measures in public finances call for a major re-evaluation of the National Archives Service as well as other functions and resources within the State administration. Ensuring sufficient resources for statutory tasks is the aim of the National Archives Service in performance target negotiations with the Ministry of Education and Culture. 

The adopted policy of regionalisation strives to maintain and strengthen know-how and vitality outside major growth centres. The measures of regionalisation and development within the State administration call for effective guidance on records management and a capacity for rapid and flexible reception of material for permanent storage and transfer to the National Archives Service. Planning of logistics will become an increasingly important part of the operations.

Cooperation between the state and municipal sectors will become closer in archives and records management, aiming at coordinated use of public funding, better online services and cost savings. The National Archives, the Provincial Archives and other authorities develop together operational practices for better permanent storage and availability of public-sector materials and more efficent customer service.

The State administration is reorganized in order to promote the strategic agility of operators in the state sector and the flexible, efficient use of resources. The National Archives Service will have to focus on core tasks. When resources for public administration are reduced there is a real danger of unadequate funding for records management tasks that are regarded as support services. It will very soon affect the ability of agencies and authorities to manage material on paper and introduce online case management systems. The National Archives Service is prepared to receive less than 40 years old materials of the state administration as a service subject to a fee.

The construction of archival premises will be centralized due to the need for economizing. Material that has been digitized and so-called passive material can be stored in a central archives with nation-wide coverage placed outside the Helsinki region. Whether the tasks of the Provincial Archives or the division into Archival Districts are appropriate will be evaluated at the beginning of the strategy period. Rendering the National Archives Service more effective as an integrated body is a strategic object.

The use of information networks is increasing in all services offered to the public by the authorities. Operational procedures are harmonized in the public administration, which is developing its overall information management architecture. Structural cooperation between information service facilities is increasing in the production of services. Digitising and better availability of digital materials are given increasing consideration. The international dimension plays an increasingly important role in the use of electronic materials.

Research and education are vital strategic areas that maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish society. Considerable investments are made into developing research infrastructures and the management of research information in Finland as well as internationally.

International standards and operating practices play an increasingly important role in planning and executing of operations. Active participation in international activities creates opportunities for developing appropriate information and storage systems and for directing activities and resources.

The competition for skilled staff is becoming more intense. By directing and developing education provided at higher educational institutions it will be possible to guarantee the competence needed by the National Archives Service. Taking an interest in the tasks of the National Archives Service and in records management opens the way to employment and makes it possible to obtain skilled employees.