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Classification

Code: 44745
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Archival Studies and Information Governance OB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Olga Giralt Gallardo
Email :
olga.giralt@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There is no mandatory prerequisite

Objectives

This course focuses on the study of classification schemes as a fundamental component of information and records management. It examines their conceptual foundations, the different types of classification schemes, strategies for their analysis, design and implementation within organizational environments, the complementary tools associated with them, and their relationship with records filing and information retrieval methods.

Given its close connection to professional practice, special emphasis will be placed on the practical component of the course. The aim is to provide students with the knowledge and core strategies required to promote the approval, implementation and management of a classification scheme in any type of organization, whether public or private.

To understand the challenges, constraints and solutions associated with their implementation, students will collaboratively design and develop several classification schemes throughout the course. These models will be created from the ground up, taking into account all internal and external factors involved in their design, management and maintenance.

The course will also emphasize the importance of process management and functional and sequential analysis in the development of classification schemes. In addition, related concepts such as fonds-based classification schemes and record types catalogues will be introduced.

Learning outcomes

  • CA11 (Classify documents, data and information in real archive settings and organisations.) Classify documents, data and information in real archive settings and organisations.
  • CA12 (Report the use and management of the classification system in professional settings.) Report the use and management of the classification system in professional settings.
  • KA18 (Interpret the document classification system for all varieties of information and data.) Interpret the document classification system for all varieties of information and data.
  • KA19 (Explain strategies to implement corporate classification systems in any type of organisation.) Explain strategies to implement corporate classification systems in any type of organisation.
  • KA20 (Relate the classification system to business procedures and other archival instruments and an organisation's transparency and access policies.) Relate the classification system to business procedures and other archival instruments and an organisation's transparency and access policies.
  • SA11 (Apply legislation, regulations and standards for the management and use of documents in public and private archives.) Apply legislation, regulations and standards for the management and use of documents in public and private archives.
  • SA13 (Produce classification charts and supporting tools for application to organisations.) Produce classification charts and supporting tools for application to organisations.
  • SA14 (Analyse the documentary structure, functions, needs and requirements of organisations.) Analyse the documentary structure, functions, needs and requirements of organisations.

Contents

Unit 1: Conceptualization

1.1. What is classification?

1.2. Classification and arrangement

1.3. What is a classification scheme?

1.4. Types of classification schemes

1.5. Levels of classification

1.6. The fonds classification scheme

1.7. Documentary types


Unit 2: Functional and Process Analysis

2.1. Functional Analysis

2.1.1. Functions, Activities and Transactions

2.1.2. Methodologies for Functional Identification and Decomposition

2.1.3. Advantages and Limitations of Functional Models

2.2. Process Analysis

2.2.1. Concept of Process and Procedure, and Differences with Functions and Activities

2.2.2. Strategic, Operational and Support Processes

2.2.3. Process Analysis Techniques. Identification of Documents and Documentary Evidence Associated with Processes

2.2.4. The Classification System in a Process-Oriented Environment

2.3. Current Challenges of Classification Systems in Information Governance Environments


Unit 3: Design and Implementation Phases of a Classification System

3.1. Leadership and Planning

3.2. Needs Analysis

3.3. Structure Development

3.4. Development of Supporting Tools

3.5. Implementation Operations

3.6. Training

3.7. Evaluation and Continuous Improvement of the Classification System


Unit 4: Filing Systems

4.1. Filing methods

4.2. Applicability of different filing methods

4.3. Space optimization and records storage control

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Case study and analysis 15 0.6 CA11, KA18, SA11, SA13, SA14
Practical work and exercises 35 1.4 CA11, CA12, KA19, SA13, SA14
Reading texts and articles 10 0.4 KA20, SA11, SA13, SA14
Participatory and interactive classes 46 1.84 CA11, CA12, KA18, KA19, KA20, SA11, SA13, SA14

Thematic development classes will be held that will combine theory and practice in a balanced way. The objective is for students to be able to apply the classification and archiving concepts worked on in the classroom through practical activities, both individual and in groups. These activities will serve as a basis for facing the different evaluation tests. In addition, visits and/or experiences in real professional environments will be organized to learn first-hand the application of the systems in work contexts.

 

Language: The subject will be taught in Catalan.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Guided practical exercises 25 10 0.4 CA11, KA18, SA11, SA13, SA14
Continuous assessment test 35 14 0.56 CA11, KA18, KA20, SA11, SA13
Case study (group work) 40 20 0.8 CA11, CA12, KA19, SA13, SA14

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT


The assessment system consists of three types of activities that will make up the final grade for the subject. The final grade is distributed as follows:


1. The resolution of a case study (group work) (40% of the final grade)

2. The continuous assessment test (35% of the final grade), which may include practical exercises from the different thematic blocks of the subject.

3. The resolution of practical exercises led by the teacher (25% of the final grade)


To pass the subject, the grade for the resolution of the case study must be equal to or greater than 4/10. The continuous assessment test must also be passed with a value equal to or greater than 5/10.

To pass the subject, students must obtain a final grade equal to or higher than 5/10. The final grade is the result of the sum of the grades obtained in each of the assessable elements presented.

A value of 0 points is assigned to assessment activities that have not been carried out.


Retake


Students who have taken assessment activities that account for 66.6% (two-thirds) or more of the final grade and who have obtained a weighted average grade equal to or greater than 3.5 will be eligible for retake.


When the final grade is delivered prior to the official recording of grades, the retake procedure will be communicated in writing. Teaching staff may propose a retake activity for each activity that has been failed or not taken, or they may group several activities into one.


Consideration of “Not Assessable (NA)”


A “Not Assessable (NA)” grade will be assigned when the assessment evidence provided by the student is equivalent, at most, to a quarter of the total grade for the course.


Irregularities in assessment activities


Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade will result in that assessment being graded with a mark of 0.

If the course syllabus establishes that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment activity is an essential requirement for passing the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in assessment activities within the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0.

Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who engages in any of these irregularities.

Use of AI


For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction, or translations. Students must clearly identify which parts were generated using such technologies, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in assessable activities will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in partial or full penalties on the activity's grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Bibliography

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • BARBADILLO ALONSO, Javier (2007). «Apuntes de clasificación archivística». Legajos. Cuadernos de investigación archivística y gestión documental, núm. 10, p. 27-50.
  • BARBADILLO ALONSO, Javier (2010). «Clasificaciones y relaciones funcionales de los documentos de archivo». Tabula, núm. 13, p. 35-60.
  • BAK, Greg (2012). «Continuous classification: capturing dynamic relationships among information resources». Archival Science, vol. 12, núm. 3, p. 287-318.
  • CANELA GARAYOA, Montserrat (2003). «Introducció al disseny, la implantació i el manteniment de sistemes de gestió dels documents administratius electrònics». Lligall, núm. 21.
  • CERMENO MARTORELL, Lluís (2019). «El modelo de cuadro de clasificación de la documentación de ayuntamientos y consejos comarcales (QDCAC) y sus complementos». Consultor de los Ayuntamientos y de los Juzgados, núm. 11, p. 89-98.
  • CRUZ MUNDET, José Ramón (2003). Manual de archivística. 5a ed. Madrid: Fundación Germán Sánchez Ruipérez.
  • CRUZ MUNDET, José Ramón (2006). La gestión de documentos en las organizaciones. Madrid: Pirámide.
  • DELGADO GÓMEZ, Alejandro (2010). «Sistemas de clasificación en múltiples dimensiones: la experiencia del Archivo Municipal de Cartagena». Tabula, núm. 13, p. 125-136.
  • DÍAZ RODRÍGUEZ, Alfonso (2010). «La clasificación como proceso de gestión de documentos». Tabula, núm. 13, p. 61-88.
  • DOMINGO I SANJUAN, Joan (2009). «Els registres generals d'entrada i sortida de documents de les administracions públiques amb relació a la gestió documental». Lligall, núm. 30.
  • FOSCARINI, Fiorella (2010). «La clasificación de documentos basada en funciones». Tabula, núm. 13, p. 89-108.
  • GIMÉNEZ, Francesc (2018). Anàlisi funcional i aplicació pràctica dels requisits de la normativa ISO 30301:2011 en el sistema integrat de gestió de l’Ajuntament de Sant Cugat. Barcelona: Escola d’Administració Pública de Catalunya.
  • GIMÉNEZ, Francesc (2022). «El quadre de classificació. Concepte, metodologia d'elaboració i implantació. La classificació dels documents». Associació de Professionals de l'Arxivística i la Gestió de Documents de Catalunya.
  • GUIROLA BENKÍ, Sissy Laura; BATISTA DELGADO, Adiela Neyda; HERRERA ACOSTA, Reina Estrella (2016). «Clasificación archivística por procesos: una experiencia en la Universidad de La Habana». Revista General de Información y Documentación, vol. 26, núm. 2, p. 503-522.
  • HEREDIA HERRERA, Antonia (2010). «Clasificación, cuadros de clasificación y e-gestión documental». Tabula, núm. 13, p. 13-34.
  • HEREDIA HERRERA, Antonia (2016). «La gestión de los documentos en el corazón del cambio». Tria, núm. 20.
  • ILERBAIG, Juan (2010). «Clasificación de documentos y clasificación en biología». Tabula, núm. 13, p. 109-124.
  • MOKHTAR, Umi Asma'; YUSOF, Zawiyah M. (2015). «Classification: The understudied concept». International Journal of Information Management, vol. 35, núm. 2, p. 176-182.
  • MOKHTAR, Umi Asma'; YUSOF, Zawiyah M. (2015). «The requirement for developing functional records classification». International Journal of Information Management, vol. 35, núm. 4, p. 403-407.
  • PÁEZ GARCÍA, Mateo A. (2016). «La clasificación funcional: definición de un modelo». Tria, núm. 20.
  • QUÍLEZ MATA, Julio (2011). «Aproximació a les ontologies. Definició i construcció. Aplicacions en el camp de l'arxivística». Lligall, núm. 32.
  • ROBERGE, Michel (1992). La gestió dels documents administratius. Barcelona: Diputació de Barcelona - Associació d'Arxivers de Catalunya.
  • RODRÍGUEZ ACEVEDO, José Manuel (2012). «Series y subseries en un sistema de clasificación funcional». Anales de Documentación, vol. 15, núm. 2.
  • SERRA SERRA, Jordi (2006). «Com elaborar un quadre de classificació funcional». Material docent de l'assignatura Sistemes de gestió de la documentació administrativa. Universitat de Barcelona.
  • SERRA SERRA, Jordi (2023). El rol de la sèrie documental en entorns de gestió dadificats: una proposta metodològica en el marc de la governança de la informació. Tesi doctoral. Universitat de Barcelona.
  • SUMARSONO, Sigit; WIBOWO, Muhamad Prabu (2025). «Artificial Intelligence in Recordkeeping: A Systematic Review of Machine Learning Applications for Automated Records Classification». Khizanah al-Hikmah, vol. 13, núm. 1.
  • TEMESIO VIZOSO, Silvana (2020). «Registros en contexto (RiC): modelo conceptual archivístico». Informatio, vol. 25, núm. 2, p. 62-91.


REGULATIONS AND REFERENCE GUIDELINES

  • AENOR (2016). UNE-ISO 15489-1:2016. Información y documentación. Gestión de documentos. Conceptos y principios. Madrid: AENOR.
  • AENOR (2008). UNE-ISO/TR 26122:2008 IN. Información y documentación. Análisis de los procesos de trabajo para la gestión de documentos. Madrid: AENOR.
  • AENOR (2011). UNE-ISO 30300:2011. Información y documentación. Sistemas de gestión para los documentos. Fundamentos y vocabulario. Madrid: AENOR.
  • AENOR (2019). UNE-ISO 30301:2019+Amd 1:2024. Información y documentación. Sistemas de gestión para los documentos. Requisitos. Madrid: AENOR.
  • ISO (2022). ISO 30302:2022. Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Guidelines for implementation. Geneva: International Organization for Standardization.
  • INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ARCHIVES (2023). Records in Contexts Conceptual Model (RiC-CM), Version 1.0. Paris: ICA.
  • INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ARCHIVES. Records in Contexts Ontology (RiC-O). Paris: ICA.
  • DIRECCIÓ GENERAL D’ARXIUS I GESTIÓ DOCUMENTAL (2016). Guia del model de Quadre de Classificació de la Documentació Municipal (QdCM).
  • CATALUNYA (2001). Llei 10/2001, de 13 de juliol, d’arxius i documents.
  • CATALUNYA (2014). Llei 19/2014, de transparència, accés a la informació pública i bon govern.
  • CATALUNYA (2021). Decret 8/2021, sobre la transparència i el dret d'accés a la informació pública.
  • ESPAÑA (2011). Norma Técnica de Interoperabilidad de Documento Electrónico.
  • ESPAÑA (2012). Norma Técnica de Interoperabilidad de Política de Gestión de Documentos Electrónicos.
  • ESPAÑA (2010). Esquema Nacional de Interoperabilidad (ENI).

Software

No specific software is planned to be used.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 Catalan second semester afternoon