{"id":1177,"date":"2010-09-17T15:23:36","date_gmt":"2010-09-17T05:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordconstructions.com.au\/blog\/?p=1177"},"modified":"2012-02-23T16:26:09","modified_gmt":"2012-02-23T05:26:09","slug":"document-registers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordconstructions.com.au\/blog\/2010\/09\/document-registers\/","title":{"rendered":"Document registers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does your business have a document register?<\/p>\n

It sounds a bit dry and perhaps a bit overly interested in details, but a document register can save a lot of time and keep things simple and consistent – I’ve certainly seen this in action as Communications Manager for companies with many forms and standard letters.<\/p>\n

What is a document register?<\/h2>\n

A document register is simply a list of every document the business uses as standards. It can include forms, letters, marketing flyers, information guides, fact sheets, website banners, promotional articles<\/a>, stationery items and eBooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If there are many documents, it is usually\u00a0worth dividing into categories (list all the forms then all the flyers for example).<\/p>\n

Document registers can also be a handy way to communicate with new team members – they can see what exists to help them learn about the business and ensure they don’t ‘reinvent the wheel’.<\/p>\n

How does a document register work?<\/h2>\n

In its simplest form, the register just lists the documents so it’s easy to see what exists.<\/p>\n

More complicated but infinitely more useful are registers that include a code for each document<\/a>. These codes are changed each time a document is updated so the register becomes a reference for ensuring you have the most recent version of something.<\/p>\n

And a record to spot any documents that are perhaps a bit old and overdue for a refresh.<\/p>\n

Document register tips<\/h2>\n

Here are a few points I’ve learned from using document registers in different companies:<\/p>\n