I would think that the "reward" for implementing the ISO 15489 standard
would be the ability to readily defend the integrity of the records
management program to anyone who might challenge it.  You may not be able to
point to an external certification that you're following the practices, but
in any deposition, or testimony you certainly could point to your compliance
with the standard.  Additionally, the ISO standard should be a valued tool
in ensuring an appropriate level of management support for a good RIM
program.

Douglas P. Allen, CRM, CDIA+
Business Development Manager
Global 360
3103 Sasparilla Cove
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 292-3817 -- direct
(512) 791-8027 -- cell phone

http://www.global360.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Van Houten, Gerry (MBS)
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 12:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ISO 15489 - what's the benefit

Elizabeth writes: <<If an organization is just beginning to build or
reorganize a document/records program, it may be a wonderful tool to use as
a structured approach and to prevent costly errors, but for those of us who
are already there, again I ask what's the use?>>

My response is that, as a person responsible for your organization's records
management system, it is incumbent upon you to implement best practices
suitable to your organization's needs and requirements. ISO 15489 serves as
a baseline against which you can and should benchmark your records
management system. It would be a mistake to assume that ISO 15489 has no
value in situations where there is a long- or well-established records
management system.

As a person who works in the records management field in the Government of
Ontario, I view ISO 15489 as a significant development in records management
and as a very useful tool in the evaluation of records system within the
government.

Gerry van Houten
Information Policy Adviser
Archives of Ontario

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