This article includes a compilation of guidelines from national and international institutions on the development of digital preservation policies. The proposals presented are the result of practical actions developed by the agencies in implementing digital preservation actions. The development of effective practices requires a prior planning and structuring process, which are currently defined in the digital preservation policies, documents that include a set of guidelines and commitments to be assumed by the institutions, ensuring investments and support from senior management and engagement of members involved in the production of documentaries. After the analysis carried out, an operational procedure related to the development of the digital preservation policy directed to Higher Education Institutions is presented. The conception of this procedure is to guide the institutions on the way forward, aiming to minimize efforts in the planning stage of actions for the preservation of digital documents. .