The international standard ISO 15489:2016-04 "Information and Documentation" establishes terms and principles for the archiving, management, and control of digital documents or paper documents. Known in Germany primarily as "records management," it encompasses a unified management of physical and electronic information, providing a comprehensive overview of all related data and documents. Based on a general assessment of records management, this guide aims to facilitate the interpretation and application of the English-language standard for a German-speaking audience. The author explains the significance of records management from legal, corporate, and governmental perspectives. By strategically implementing records management, the increasing compliance requirements can be met economically.