I think Ian Brewer gives a very simplistic definition - surely KM & RM are two linked strands in an organisation's overall information strategy?
Personally, though still simplistic, I prefer:-
Knowledge assets "are made up of information, insight and experience. KM is the systematic gathering and exploitation of those assets, which may be explicit or hidden. It includes the recognition, capture and spreading of good practice, the utilisation of collective intelligence and the sharing of lessons learnt." which I copied from a useful KM briefing paper available at www.idea.gov.uk/knowledge
Whereas I think good records management ensures that activities and decisions are adequately documented and available for reference when required - so includes defining the information needs of the organisation, how gathered / recorded / stored, when / why & to whom they are accessible, etc..
With lifespan defined in a retention / destruction policy for differentiating between:
- current records that must be continuously accessible
- semi-current records that can be stored but reasonably accessible
- historical records that must be archived and accessible on request
- obsolete records that should be securely destroyed
But what would I know? I work in Data Protection!
Kirsty E Gray
Data Protection Officer
National Care Standards Commission
Note: comments for discussion and debate only and do not necessarily reflect the corporate position of NCSC nor constitute legal advice.
|