New guidance that differs from past approaches proffered by experts is offered in this publication. The records inventory is the crucial step in developing retention schedules, and uncovering records management inefficiencies. Inventorying e-records is particularly challenging. This new 2012 guide provides the detailed roadmap needed to conduct an inventory of records, including electronic records. It helps to form the goals, purpose and scope of the inventory, and it goes further into the details of survey development and interview techniques, providing real-world examples. It will help the practitioner or project lead to plan, organize, gain support, and carry out the records inventory. It offers several models, including recent recommendations from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and the government of the U.K. It also includes guidance from GARP (Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles). This new guide is an essential tool for all records managers.