Proactive records management: analysis and lessons of a survey of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Available to Purchase

In 1989 the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, suspecting that records in the departments of the Northern Ireland Civil Service could be more effectively managed, undertook a survey of records management. This was completed in early 1994 and the findings of the survey have confirmed the Record Office's suspicions. This article considers why this should be so and suggests possible action to remedy the situation. The author expresses his belief that this scenario will be familiar to many records managers and argues that the profession needs to be more proactive in stressing the value of information as a resource, and in selling the concepts of records management to senior executives. He concludes by arguing that recent developments in technology may provide an opportunity for records managers to enhance their profiles.