Removal of Appraisal Tab and appraisal related functions

• Status: proposed
• Deciders: Sarah Romkey
• Date: 2026-01-21

Context and problem statement

The Appraisal tab was introduced in Archivematica version 1.6 in 2017. This was a significant development effort, sponsored by Bentley Historical Library at University of Michigan, which introduced Angular to the Archivematica code base and offered users the opportunity to inspect, assess and arrange transfers in backlog before proceeding with the creation of a SIP/AIP. Several additional efforts were made in consultation with other users/sponsors to expand Appraisal tab functionality, such as the addition of AtoM levels of description.

The feedback in recent years, from the original users as well as from others, is that the Appraisal tab has fallen into disuse. The workflows it supports are very particular and prone to user error. Many Archivematica users have come to favour more automated, API-driven workflows over those that utilize the user interface so highly.

The most pressing concern though is that the version of Angular and other tooling used in the Appraisal tab is out of date and poses security issues in the Archivematica code stack.

Decision drivers

• As noted above, the Appraisal tab is posing a security concern meaning it must be either removed or overhauled.
• Overhauling the Appraisal tab would be a significant piece of effort that does not seem to be aligned with current usage of the Appraisal tab.
• The Appraisal tab does not support more automated, API-driven workflows that are now favoured by Archivematica users.
• If the Appraisal tab is removed, it is important to avoid a scenario where users have placed transfers in Backlog but have no mechanism for turning them into SIPs.

Considered options

• Remove both the Appraisal tab (and its related functionality) and the Backlog tab, and disable the ability to send transfers to Backlog.
• Remove the Appraisal tab (and its related functionality) while retaining the Backlog tab but add an API call and a UI element to take a transfer from the Backlog and start it as a SIP.

Decision outcome

TBD

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