Levels of Preservation Working Group

The Levels of Digital Preservation (also referred to as the ‘Levels’) is a resource to help digital preservation practitioners build or assess their digital preservation program. Originally created in 2013, Version 2.0 was released in 2019 along with additional supporting documentation and resources. Version 2.1 was released in March of 2026 with a focus on environmental sustainability. Minor edits were made to the supporting resources to reflect this focus.

All versions of the Levels of Digital Preservation matrix, documentation, and supporting resources are available from the NDSA Levels of Digital Preservation Project in the OSF repository. The direct links provided below go to the most recent version unless otherwise indicated. If you are having trouble navigating OSF, this guidance has been created to assist you as the structure of OSF has changed over time.

Version 2.1 of the Levels was created by the Levels of Digital Preservation Working Group (2024-2026). For more information, please contact a member of the Levels Steering Group.

Levels of Digital Preservation Matrix V2.1

Levels of Digital Preservation Version 2.1 Matrix

Levels of Digital Preservation V2.1 Matrix

The Levels of Digital Preservation Matrix, shown above in color, is available in both color and black and white on the OSF site.

Implementation Guidelines and Working Definitions

The Implementation Guidelines provide background information on the Levels of Digital Preservation projects from 2013 and 2018, the thinking of the group on changes that were made, working definitions of terms, and recommendations for implementing the Levels. The Working Definitions provide further explanation on terms used within the matrix and supporting documentation and resources.

Environmental Sustainability Guide

The Environmental Sustainability Guide is available to help you embed environmental sustainability considerations into digital preservation decision-making when using the Levels to measure and guide your digital preservation strategy.

Assessment Tool

The Assessment Tool is available to help you use the Levels of Digital Preservation to assess your digital preservation program. The spreadsheet template can be downloaded and used to record and visualize your assessment results. A guidance document is also available and describes how the tool can be used and provides two case studies of the Assessment Tool in use.

Curatorial Guidance

A Digital Curation Decision Guide is available that helps form the basis of a series of decision points around collections and the implementation of a preservation strategy. The Guide has both a visual and narrative version to help explore key factors in complex infrastructure and collections management decision-making.

Training Slide Deck

A slide deck and accompanying instructions are provided for use if you would like to talk about the Levels of Digital Preservation to an audience. Slides could be used for a full day workshop, a webinar, or just a quick introduction. Instructions are included on which slides may be most useful for each type of presentation, however you are encouraged to use whichever slides work for your purpose or audience.

Translations of the Levels of Digital Preservation

Various elements of the Levels have been translated into different languages by our community partners. We encourage and welcome new translations from the community. Do get in touch with us if you are interested in translating the Levels.

Feedback

It is expected that the Levels of Digital Preservation will continue to be updated over time as additional feedback is received, experience is gained implementing its recommendations, and as good practice evolves.

If you have feedback on the Levels of Preservation or related documents, please submit it to us using this form.

Previous Versions

  • Version 1.0: The original Levels of Digital Preservation (Proceedings of the Archiving (IS&T) Conference, April 2013, Washington, DC) are still available for use and reference as needed.
  • Version 2.0: All products from the 2019 revision of the Levels can be found on the 2019 Levels of Digital Preservation project in OSF. All of the products are listed as “Components” in OSF. Scroll in this section to find the Matrix, Implementation guide, Working definitions, Assessment Tool and guidance, Curatorial guidance and decision tree, and Teaching and outreach materials.

Award Winners

Digital Preservation Award

On World Digital Preservation Day 2020, the 2019 Levels of Digital Preservation Working Group became a Digital Preservation Award winner receiving the International Council on Archives Award for Collaboration and Cooperation! This award is not possible without the collaboration of hundreds of people over the course of the project! Thank you to everyone who participated!