Just back from the UK’s Information Records Management Society (IRMS) Conference 2015 at Celtic Manor resort in Wales – another day, another event? Well, this time, not quite.
We like the IRMS event because of the community and conversation it brings with it beyond the standard exhibits and presentations. This year all of those things were present and correct with, once again, a growing awareness of how file analysis technologies like ours offer information professionals whole new insight and powers over their content. However, what made this one different was the stand out presentation and delivery by Joel Westphal (Deputy Director, Directives and Records Management Division, US Department of Navy). As an information professional with a clear sense of purpose and vision, not only did he bring a welcome injection of passion and focus to the proceedings but he also provided welcome advocacy of file analysis technologies and techniques to enable records managers to get a practical grip of large scale chaotic collections of electronic data for compliance and eventual archival.
Other noteable contributions to the agenda were, for me, presentations from Julia Harwood (Chief Information Officer for Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and Jon Garde (Senior Product Manager, RSD). What I liked about Julia’s session was the clear sense of shared purpose in her team’s implementation of a new information platform – a project that sounds like its set for success. In contrast Jon outlined some interesting theoretical thinking about infonomics and the asset value of information – a concept which must surely have growing relevance as we all seek to do a better job of business cases and returns on investment in information-driven initiatives.
No doubt we’ll be back next year to take part in Conference 2016 when I’m hoping to hear more of success like Joel and Julia’s and perhaps even see some practical implementations of information asset valuation.