Indicadores Arquivométrico para a tomada de decisão nos Arquivos: Estudo de caso no Arquivo Público Municipal de Camaçari - Bahia

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the application of archival metrics in the Municipal Public Archive of Camaçari, Bahia. The goal was to identify indicators within its database that could support decision-making in archival management. A mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) was adopted, focusing on the analysis of the archive's database between August 2021 and December 2023.The methodology, based on a case study, included systematic observation. The database of the Municipal Public Archive of Camaçari was the unit of analysis, and the 6,208 documents registered during this period served as the sample units. The analysis of the database—structured in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet—involved data cleaning and standardization to correct inconsistencies. It also involved the identification of variables such as document type, subject, department, requester, and processing dates.Following this, archival metrics indicators, named Integrated Synergy Indicators, were extracted and classified. By applying these indicators, it was possible to conduct in-depth analyses, including composite indicators that revealed the flow of document processing.The research reinforced the applicability of archival metrics across all archival life cycles, expanding its scope beyond permanent archives. It was concluded that despite institutional challenges like clientelism and the discontinuity of public policies, the Integrated Synergy Archival Indicators can become valuable strategic inputs for decision-making. The study recommends the inclusion of archival metrics in the academic curriculum of archival science programs,providing professionals with a distinct perspective on quantitative data to support archival management.