Steve says: The response keeps coming back that it's like the free world 
vs the 
communist state and that  I shouldn't care until it's a record what's
done with it and how it's managed.  In some instances such as nonbusiness 
related information this is true BUT the instant something is considered
a business document or business related it's to our advantage to bring it 
into our process.


Yes, the old conundrum between documents and records and how it's managed. 
 At one time, we as RM's could hide our head in the sand and not have to 
deal with documents.  But those days are long past and many of us have 
become managers of information as well.  It was much easier back then 
because a record is a record is a record.  All that other "stuff" was not 
our responsibility. 

I would suggest though that we as RM's, step up to the plate, and help our 
organizations manage information across the organization irregardless of 
whether it's information, documents, records or stuff.  If anything, it 
will increase your profile within the company and will no doubt fatten 
your paycheque which is always an incentive to take on new challenges.

My question would be.....How, when and who determines whether a business 
document becomes important to the organization.  Is it you, or perhaps the 
CIO or perhaps the user.  Once that determination is made, what do you do 
with it?

When we were setting up our EDRMS, I had many comments from this list on 
determining the difference between documents and records.  Some said treat 
everything as a record.  Others said treat them separately.  The comments 
were all over the place..  My advise would be to take these documents, 
information or stuff, whatever you want to call it, and bring it under the 
auspices of the record group.  That way you can determine how it will be 
managed and you will have control over what happens to it.

Good luck with this. 

John Annunziello
Manager, Records and Information 
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
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"Information is a corporate, strategic asset that needs to be managed"

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