The National Archives of Iran: A Performance Appraisal

To conduct an SWOT analysis for the National Archives of Iran, evaluate its strategic position, and to provide suggestions for further improvements.
Method and Research Design: A questionnaire was designed to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by seven archive experts. The questionnaire was answered by 20 employees in the National Archives. The strategic position of the organization was studied using Internal and External Factors Evaluation Matrix.
Findings and The strengths of the organization are more than its weaknesses. The organization can control threats and improve weaknesses. Besides, it can make new decisions and improve its services.
Some of the provided suggestions are: developing digital services and accessibility, updating regulations regarding coding of different kinds of documents, closer coordination with other organizations, employing new specialists, more training courses for the staff, launching a web database, defining procedures and codes for collecting archival records.