>>Based on my experience, if your business processes are already mapped
out then making the determination is much easier. <<

I would concur with Bruce.  Here at the State, we map the entire
business process from beginning to end.  While one of our goals is to
insure appropriate capture of records, another requirement is to
automate as much as possible the creation, routing, distribution, and
storage processes.  Our users are looking for these types of
efficiencies and we have become the go-to folks for automation of
business activities.

My take on records management is that it covers the entire lifecycle of
a record.  That lifecycle rarely begins when a "declaration" takes
place.  In many cases, the declaration process is done very late in the
life cycle.  When that happens, RMs are simply cleaning up after the
dog, so to speak.  

I think a better approach is to change the dog's diet so there is less
cleanup to be done.  Being involved in the entire business process is
how it gets done.

Bill R

Bill Roach, CRM
Enterprise EDMS Coordinator
State of North Dakota
ITD/Records Management
701-328-3589

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