National Archives of Iceland
The National Archives of Iceland's Maturity Model Featured in a Norwegian Professional Journal
13th August 2026
Recently, an article by Helga Jóna Eiríksdóttir, archivist at the National Archives of Iceland and lecturer in Applied Archival Studies at the University of Iceland, was published in the Norwegian professional journal INIO – Tidsskrift for informasjonsforvaltning.
Some time ago, an article by Helga Jóna Eiríksdóttir, archivist at the National Archives of Iceland and lecturer in the Applied Archival Studies program at the University of Iceland, was published in the Norwegian professional journal INIO – Tidsskrift for informasjonsforvaltning. In the article, she discusses the maturity model developed by the National Archives of Iceland and its impact on regulatory compliance among records-transfer entities.
The maturity model was developed to measure the status of records management and archival practices among entities required to transfer records to the National Archives. The results of the National Archives' regular compliance surveys are used to place entities at defined maturity levels, making it possible to assess their status at any given time.
Maturity levels have been assessed four times for state institutions subject to records transfer requirements and three times for municipal offices with the same obligations. Fourteen years have now passed since the maturity levels were first assessed, and the method has proven effective both in evaluating the state of records management and archival practices and in encouraging entities to comply with laws and regulations.
Helga Jóna has also researched the attitudes of records managers and other professionals working with records management and archives in state institutions subject to transfer requirements toward the maturity model. The article presents the first findings from this research, which indicate that attitudes toward the maturity model are highly positive.
“The maturity levels have proven to be a positive incentive and an effective measurement tool, not only for the National Archives but also for records managers, helping to demonstrate progress and more professional records management and archival practices among records-transfer entities,” says Helga Jóna.
INIO – Tidsskrift for informasjonsforvaltning is published by INIO in Norway, the country's largest professional association in the field of archives and records management, which has been operating since 1961.
The article is in English and can be accessed here: INIO – Tidsskrift for informasjonsforvaltning – 2. tbl. 2025