ISO 15489 Records Management: its development and significance

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of producing ISO 15489 Records Management, and to explore some of the professional and other issues that arise for consideration at an international level.

Design/methodology/approach

The process of producing ISO 15489 Records Management is described, along with some of the thinking behind that process,

Findings

In one sense, the contents of ISO 15489 are less important than its existence. The fact that records managers can point to an ISO/BSI Standard for their discipline can be used to improve the image and status of records management in the eyes of those who know little or nothing of the subject. The Standard is a statement of good practice in records management. It is also something that can be passed to professionals in other fields when working on projects together. Also, the internationalising process has made the Standard more suitable than AS 4390 for the UK environment.

Originality/value

The paper identifies some of the benefits of the Standard for records management in the UK.

Citation

Healy, S. (2010), "ISO 15489 Records Management: its development and significance", Records Management Journal, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 96-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565691011039861