Underdokumentene

Underdokumentene is a Norwegian term used to describe subdocuments or attachments that accompany a primary document. Together, the main document and its underdokumenter form a related set of records that provide context, evidence, or supplementary information necessary for full understanding or compliance.

The scope of underdokumentene can vary by context but typically includes appendices, annexes, datasets, tables, figures, correspondence, supporting materials, and other files linked to the main document. They may be physical complements or digital files, and they are often connected to the primary document through references, identifiers, or metadata. The distinction between the main document and its underdokumentene is functional rather than formal in some contexts, but in archival and administrative practice they are treated as part of a single record family.

In practice, underdokumentene serve roles such as providing substantiation for decisions, including technical data, legal or financial details, and additional explanations. They support transparency, auditability, and reproducibility, and they are subject to governance policies regarding access, retention, and preservation. Proper management typically involves metadata that describes each item, clear linking to the main document, and controls for versioning and authenticity.

For archival, legal, and governmental use, underdokumentene are often indexed together with the primary document to ensure coherent retrieval. Examples include a policy decision with accompanying impact assessments, a contract with annexes, or a research report with supplementary materials. Across contexts, the handling of underdokumentene aims to preserve their relationship to the main document while maintaining appropriate accessibility and preservation standards.