It is common knowledge that change, big or small, can be a challenge.  Successful change is most likely to occur when organizations manage not only the information management and technology issues but also the human issues. 

If the human factor is not well managed, changes, no matter how good, will meet with resistance. There are three fundamental reasons why change does not meet with open arms:

1.  Records and information service providers are afraid of change.  They have become entrenched in traditional methodologies and are either afraid to embrace new concepts or simply do not understand them.  The changes being faced by today’s records management practitioners are dramatic.  The move to function/activity based classification structures and the introduction of electronic document management solutions are posing challenges.  As we progress further down the chain of command, the more daunting these tasks can be.

2.  The records and information users are also afraid of change.  They fear that change will disrupt their work patterns.  They are afraid that they will not be able to find their information when they need it.  In response, they hoard their records and are slow to cooperate.  Or worse – they feign cooperation but, in the end, do not embrace the change.

3. The decision-makers are not afraid of change.  They are, however, conscious of the cost of change and have not been convinced of the true importance of good information management.  Until they truly understand the issues and see their information assets on the same strategic level as their financial, human and capital assets, the necessary support will not be forthcoming.

Change needs to be introduced in a holistic fashion.  This means that, in addition to managing system development and implementation according to best practices, you must also manage the cultural impact of change.  CONDAR can help you develop and implement a strategy to deal with this ‘human’ side of change.  Properly introduced, a new system can deliver all the hoped-for benefits.

• Decision-Makers, Senior Management

There have always been two compelling reasons for implementing change in the records and information management domain.  The first reason is the legal/regulatory requirement.  Sometimes we do things because laws or policies tell us that we have to – and sometimes the consequences of not doing so can be very serious.  The second reason is the potential for improved performance and cost reduction/avoidance.  Managers need to focus on the importance of good IM/RM.  Issues such as stewardship and accountability for information should be an integral part of business processes (and not an afterthought) and linked to performance measurement.

CONDAR can help you build a case to substantiate your request for greater commitment and increased resources in order to implement best practices in your IM/RM program.  We will prepare and deliver a presentation to your management team or we will coach you as you do it yourself. 

• The Users

The organizations that have the greatest success are those that involve the users early and often.  Often the users find out about things after the fact or the communications are sporadic.  And often, they are expected to sit through long and boring information sessions that present more information than they need or care to know.

CONDAR will help you develop a strategy and the appropriate tools to communicate to, and with, the users before, during and after an initiative.

• The Service Providers

CONDAR knows and understands this dilemma and can help you deal with this situation through sound planning and the development and delivery of orientation and training sessions.  These tools can be both generic and custom-built to meet very specific requirements within your organization. 

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