File Classification Schemes

File Classification

A file classification scheme (also known as a file plan) is a tool that allows for classifying, titling, accessing and retrieving records. It is presented as a hierarchical structure of classification levels and is based on the business activities that generate records in a specific organizational business setting.

The classification levels are the degrees of specificity, with a file classification scheme usually having three major components:

  1. broad, encompassing categories, called FUNCTIONS
  2. narrower subsets of each function, called ACTIVITIES
  3. yet narrower and more specific subsets of activities, called TRANSACTIONS