Will the project still make sense in six months?
The final report alone cannot explain the source data, excluded options or remaining questions. Keep the completed set and the context needed to return to it.
- Final report.pdf
- Source material/
- Decisions.md
- Handoff notes.md
- Open questions.md
The familiar problem
A folder called “archive” may preserve every file and none of the explanation.
Give this matter a clear story.
- 01
Choose the completed version and check that its files open.
- 02
Keep the source, decisions and meaningful exclusions beside the result.
- 03
Leave a short note explaining what finished and what remained open.
- 04
Record where actual files live and keep a separate backup when needed.
- 05
Return to the archived Package as a starting point for later work.
Come back without starting from guesses.
A later reader can understand what was finished and why, without digging through old folders.
What this is. Which version mattered. Why you decided.
Keep this in mind when you continue.
An archive keeps a completed story. A backup is an extra protective copy of the actual files; they serve different purposes.
If a file will not open
If a file will not open, check its device or storage, access and selected version. A visible name alone does not make the contents available.
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