A folder hierarchy that works

Structure · 2025-09-15

After cleaning up the SharePoint mess I wrote down what I built to replace it. Posting it here in case it's useful to someone.

/
├── 01-reference/          # Doesn't change. Standards, policies, templates.
├── 02-projects/           # Active work. One subfolder per project.
│   ├── 2025-widget-redesign/
│   └── 2025-line-4-expansion/
├── 03-operations/         # Recurring. Schedules, SOPs, checklists.
├── 04-archive/            # Completed projects moved here. Same structure.
└── README.md              # You are here. Read this first.

Notes:

Numbered prefixes force sort order. People will not manually sort.
README.md at root explains the structure. If someone has to ask where to put a file, the structure failed.
Projects get their own folder with a date prefix so they sort chronologically.
One archive folder. Not Archive and Old Archive and Archive 2.
Nothing goes in the root except the four category folders and the README.

This took twenty minutes to design. It has been in use for six weeks with no issues.