The purpose of capturing records is to:

• establish a relationship between the record, the creator and the business context that originated it
• place the record and its relationship within a records system
• link it to other records.

Techniques to ensure capture of records may include:

• classification and indexing
• arrangement in a logical structure and sequence, whether a physical file or an electronic directory
• registration which provides evidence of the existence of records in a records system
• systems which profile or template the actions undertaken in doing business