An analytical approach to information management

Information units have tended historically to operate as groups independent from their user populations. New technologies have generally been adopted within this operating pattern in order to carry out certain specific tasks. There has been little planned interaction between recording, storage, retrieval and dissemination functions. The electronic technologies, in terms of the potential which they offer for capturing and re‐using information; and their pervasive introduction within organisations, offer the chance to re‐evaluate information services and the products which they generate. The nature of information management is described, and a broad plan for carrying out an information audit is provided.