Clear and consistent file naming and folder structures will make it easier to rapidly locate files, including the latest versions of files, reducing confusion and the likelihood of potentially costly mistakes, while also facilitating the reliable retrieval of files from the project archive.

Develop simple and flexible guiding principles that work within the context of the practice. Staff should be trained in these principles.

Develop a template structure which is flexible enough to be used for all projects and can be reused for each new project.

It is unrealistic to expect project archives to be perfectly organised. However, good file management, thoughtfully designed from the beginning of a project with final archiving in mind, may mean archiving will largely take care of itself at the end of a project.