Seamless flow: Programme

The National Archives commissioned a fundamental review of IT that reported in February 2004. The review recommended that The National Archives adopt a process-oriented approach to content production, with a focus on end-to-end processes, data and technology architecture, to achieve a seamless flow of content and information between all players.

The Seamless Flow Programme was The National Archives' response to this recommendation. It involved the creation of a seamless flow of digital records from creation in government departments, to preservation in the archives, through to delivery on the web. The programme was about linking together existing components and automating manual processes. The process of developing the seamless flow approach allowed us to review and streamline other aspects of our architecture - notably catalogues and web searching. The development of an Internet-based delivery system for digital records was a key component of our response to the Government's 2005 target.

The programme has now reached a successful conclusion.

Programme status July 2008

With the successful migration of existing electronic records from our original digital archive into our new digital object store, the Seamless Flow Programme has completed, on schedule and within budget, all the components specified to secure a seamless transfer, storage, preservation and presentation of electronic records. An agreed schedule of transfer of electronic records is now underway with the first tranche of participating departments. Further departments will be added in subsequent years.

The final Programme Board met in May 2008 and approved the Programme End Project Report. The Programme Board also discussed and approved a strategy for managing the transition to business as usual, which included the formation of two new working groups, Technology and Business Continuity.

The National Archives can now build on this success by utilising the enhanced skills and expertise in digital preservation to assist the Digital Continuity Programme, which is addressing the need to preserve semi-current electronic records across government.