First version of Information Management Strategy nearing completion

Monash's Information Management Strategy Project is a five year initiative designed to address the problem of information storage to ensure ease of access for all.

This year the project has built on the work done in 2003 by focussing on identifying clear information principles and undertaking a series of focus-group interviews to identify 'information painpoints'. The initial round of interviews was conducted with a wide range of stakeholders, at different levels within the university and across the key areas of Learning and Teaching, Research and Research Management, and Administration. Care was taken to get input from countries other than Australia and campuses other than Clayton. The results of these interviews were analysed for common themes, and combined with an analysis of the existing Learning and Teaching, and Research and Research Training plans.

The outcomes of this work, together with the careful analysis of theory and scope undertaken by the project steering committee last year, was then turned into a comprehensive Information Management Strategy for Monash.

The strategy identifies 10 overriding information principles for Monash to follow. It then considers each of the key areas of the university's activity, discusses the information management issues in this area and makes recommendations about possible actions. A large number of the issues arising from the analysis phase are common across the university, such as email management or file sharing. Other issues are more linked to particular areas of activity.

At the time of writing, the first version of the strategy is nearly complete, and is just waiting for final comments to be included. The plan is for the strategy to be released for public comment as an exposure draft, following its probable consideration at the Senior Management Forum planned for early February 2005. The results of this process, combined with further interview and focus group work in 2005, will produce version 1.0 of the document.

The Information Management strategy will then need to be aligned with the 3-5 year planning processes of the university to layout a series of roadmaps for action. The end result should be much better coordination of information management across the university, improved efficiency and effectiveness for Monash staff and students, and a more enjoyable and productive information environment for all.

For more information contact Andrew Treloar, Project Manager, Strategic Information Initiatives.