Information Governance

Implementing an ERM system is not simply installing a computer application or system. Records management discipline and Information Governance is required.

Information Governance is concerned with defining accountability for an organization’s information assets (especially its records).  If Governance is implemented properly – that is, if the there is GOOD governance - the organization’s information management should be compliant with any relevant legislation or regulations, and it should have a sound basis for exploiting information, and delivering productivity benefits.

The organization should be able to exploit new ways of working more effectively, such as changes in information access channels, or new business or service delivery models.   (For example, where citizens drive the interaction with government).

Good governance will also help to address all the interfaces between the customer, your organization and other providers.  For example, imagine you are a broker of services between a number of providers and the end customer.  You must be able to coordinate service delivery, possibly from a number of partners and providers, to achieve a seamless range of services from your customers’ perspective.

Lastly, and, importantly, information governance provides a way of ensuring that good information management practices can be sustained over long periods.  For example, ensuring that procedures, and other Records Management Instruments, are maintained, as the detailed requirements around them evolve and change.

So, basically, good governance boils down, pretty much, to being a fashionable term for good management – and information governance is, therefore, looking after information properly.

With ERM systems, we are fortunate to have computer tools to enable organizations to do just that.

By Carl E. Weise