Effective Records Management Part 1: A Management Guide to the Value of BS ISO 15489‐1

Citation

Hare, C. (2002), "Effective Records Management Part 1: A Management Guide to the Value of BS ISO 15489‐1", Records Management Journal, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 108-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/rmj.2002.12.3.108.1

This publication, the first of a series of three works, is in the form of a DISC‐BSI Published Document (PD) to “complement … and help place … in context for the user” the two‐part publication of Standard and Technical report which constitute the first ever international records management standard which appeared in October 2001. This is explained by Philip Jones in his introduction to a relatively short document (18 pages) in total written by Dr David Best, who is a leading consultant and has been responsible for a number of very important works in the field of information management.

In the introduction the author states that the aim of the document is to summarize “the case for implementing records management at an appropriate level in most if not all organizations”. Its coverage is therefore at the macro level but it provides practical examples in the form of case studies wherever possible. It is divided into four sections which cover benefits of a standards‐driven approach to records management, records management and knowledge management, the role of records management in corporate governance and how to develop a records management strategy with sector‐specific examples.

It is easy to read and at a single sitting and will appeal to senior managers because it is written in their language, which is for the most part clear and interesting, although there are some clumsy sentences on page 13. There are helpful references at significant points to the second publication in the series, Effective Records Management Part 2: Practical Implementation of the BS ISO 15489‐1 and hopefully this practice will be followed when the third publication appears. The link of records management to knowledge management is done very astutely and confirms the key role of records management in knowledge management.

However this publication makes a major contribution to making the case for records management through the invaluable case studies covering the energy, financial services sectors and a national museum. Not only do the case studies very succinctly explain the strategies adopted in the different sectors but listed in each case is who benefited, who implemented and operated it, what was accomplished, the point of view or overall goal, who owns it, concluding with a summary of the context of the example. They fit naturally into the flow of the text but can be consulted individually as needed. For the case studies alone this publication should be a must for senior managers across the sectors.

A very worthwhile summary which will help to promote both the international standard and records management.