Data ownership and exit planning
A journal’s value sits in more than its current platform. It includes published content, files, metadata, identifiers, editorial records, workflows, supplier knowledge and the relationships that allow the operation to continue.
The Harrowell approach
Ownership, access and exit arrangements should be agreed at the start of a material engagement, especially where a service touches journal systems, content, data or third-party suppliers. The exact position must be confirmed in the relevant contract and applicable law.
In practice
Identify the published record, source files, metadata, user and role records, configuration, documentation, supplier dependencies and working knowledge relevant to the assignment. This makes gaps and dependencies visible before a change becomes urgent.
The engagement should distinguish client-owned materials, third-party platform records, Harrowell working materials and any records subject to editorial, contractual or legal restrictions. Approved access and named contacts should be reviewed as roles change.
A good handover includes the information required to operate the service after change: inventories, documentation, open issues, role mapping, access transfer, outstanding obligations and the practical sequence for the receiving team.
The end of an engagement should not create a gap in publishing delivery. The exit plan should identify timing, responsibilities, document return or retention, access withdrawal, data transfer checks and any agreed period of transition support.
Working framework
01
A current inventory of journal content, records, systems, settings, dependencies and active work.
02
Clear ownership, authorised access, contractual restrictions and decisions about third-party services.
03
A documented transfer, validation and acceptance approach for any material change.
04
A stable operating model after handover, including access, support, documentation and follow-up review.
Common questions
No. Ownership and permitted use must be set out in the engagement terms. A service relationship does not transfer journal ownership simply because work is performed.
Yes. Inventory, mapping, validation, access, handover and continuity are central to a controlled migration.
Start with a current inventory, contractual review, named contacts, access list, documentation set, content and metadata exports, and a phased transition plan.
Speak with Harrowell
Share the journal, programme or requirement. We’ll establish whether there is a suitable next step and the information needed for a considered discussion.
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