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Impact Areas of an ERM Program

By Carl Weise posted 07-22-2011 16:09

  

These are the impact areas of an ERM program.

We need to develop the Records Management Program which would encompass:         

  • The creation, or updating, of the records management policies and manuals,
  • The development and maintenance of the  ERM instruments (a classification scheme, metadata module, security classification and a disposition schedule),
  • Monitoring adherence to ERM procedures (for example, audits), and
  • Disposition reviews of archived/destroyed records

In a large organization, these activities may need several dedicated teams, while in a smaller organization; records management may be a part-time activity

We need to develop new business processes which would address:

  • Making business processes become faster, more secure and paper-free,
  • Making business processes better through ERM and by incorporating workflow and content management, and
  • Driving financial benefits through better office procedures and methods.

We need to improve our Web Content Management system across our internet/intranet/extranet through:

  • Ensuring rigorous adherence to content standards and styles, by defining suitable ‘styles’ and adding templates to the organization’s word processing application, and
  • Then, automating the processes

We need to develop the new ways of working for our staff by:           

  • Tightly integrating the ERM system to our office and business applications and our email system,
  • Building the ERM activities into the systems and processes, and
  • Developing process models and reviewing them against the ERM system’s capabilities

We need to examine the constantly evolving delivery channels

  • All channels (including PDAs, mobile phones and Blackberries) have implications for ERM
  • Evaluate how information is created and accessed using:
    • E-mail messages to Blackberry and other smart phones, and
    • SMS (Short Message Service ) text messages to mobile phones
  • Understanding the impact of the current technology and, also, the technology in the future.

We need to ensure the acceptance of the program and system by the users.  In developing the system, we need to get input from the users and allow them to review our designs.  We should take advantage of model offices and pilots to satisfy the needs of the user.

We need to take advantage of all of our change management knowledge and skills.  We do have the answers to ‘What’s in it for me?” for both the users and managers.

We need to ensure that we get senior management endorsement and provide communications, training and user support.

The benefits will vary across organizations.  I have the personal experience to know that the benefits of the ERM program and system are strongly linked to the level of adoption in the organization.  Where utilization is greater, there will be the greater productivity benefits.  Depending on the size of the organization or scope, the implementation could be all at once or an incremental approach. 

What have you found to be the impact areas of an ERM program within your organization?

What are some of your secrets for success in implementing an ERM program?



#ECM #ElectronicRecordsManagement #ERM
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