Records Retention

ITEMS	PERIOD
Correspondence (general)	3
Development Studies	P
Presentations & Proposals	P
Surveys	P
Internal Reports (miscellaneous)	3
Employee Activities, Presentations	P
Market Research and Analysis	P
Market Surveys	5
Key:
"3"—Retain for 3 years
"5"—Retain for 5 years
"P"—Retain Permanently

In addition, when dealing with an outside consultant or contractor, determine, before the beginning of the process, the following:

Does the consultant keep a copy of the report?
Is the consultant required to dispose of or to keep notes of interviews and research?
Is the consultant required to turn over notes and working papers to you, the client?

^[24]These are extracted from a series of commonly advertised requirements. See http://www.securityshredders.com/sub/retention.htm and http://www.kentnersellers.com/Record_retain.html. Of course, federal, state, and local laws continue to change and each individual situation is different, so professional guidance is critical.

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