In the six stages of the record cycle, which stage logically follows Creation?

• A. Distribution
• B. Use
• C. Maintenance
• D. Disposition

Answer: (A)

When a new record is created, the immediate action is to get it into the hands of the people, systems, or processes that need it. This is why distribution comes next: it makes the record accessible where it’s needed, assigns proper access and routing, and places the document into the workflow that will allow it to be used. Without distributing the created record, it would stay isolated and unusable, defeating the purpose of having a record in the first place.

Use comes after distribution because you typically access and work with the record once it’s been delivered to the right audience or system. Maintenance follows as you keep the record accurate, updated, and retrievable over time. Disposition occurs later, at the end of the retention period, when the record is no longer needed or is archived/destroyed according to policy.