What do you understand by Chronological Classification of Filing? Also, discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
Chronological Classification of Filing means arranging all records and files in date order. Here, files are maintained in order of time, i.e., according to the year, month and date. The most recent (current date) papers are kept at the top of the file and the older papers are kept at the back.
Advantages of Chronological Method of Classification:
i. It is simple to understand and operate.
ii. Retrieval of records is easy if dates are known and also good for overall classification i.e. if correspondence is to be maintained of different years.
Disadvantages of Chronological Method of Classification:
i. This method is useful only for small business types.
ii. May not be suitable at times as incoming letters and their outgoing replies to be kept separately if both belong to different dates.
iii. Difficult to trace a record if dates are not known.