Successful Document Management: A Structured Approach.

• Author: HOWINGTON, TAD
• Position: Review

TITLE: Successful Document Management: A Structured Approach

PRODUCING COMPANY: Commonwealth Films Inc.

PUBLICATION DATE: 1997

INCLUDES: 65 min. video (VHS or VHS/PAL formats), CD-ROM, and spiral-bound guidebook

PRICE: $305 member/ nonmember

SOURCE: ARMA International Bookstore, http://www.arma.org or 888/298-9202

"An immense and ever-increasing wealth of knowledge is scattered about the world today -- [information] that would probably suffice to solve all the mighty difficulties of our age -- but it is dispersed and unorganized. We need ... a depot where knowledge and ideas are received, sorted, summarized, digested, clarified and compared."

H.G. Wells (1940)

This statement could easily have come from the keyboard of some well-heeled, latter-day information management pundit; Wells' astute observations still ring true some 60 years later.

Organizations are awash with information. However, in many instances, information critical to business success and survival remains ineffectively managed. Although an important asset, critical business information may get lost in the morass of poorly controlled, poorly handled documents. An organization that fails to effectively control its documents -- both electronic and paper -- is susceptible to numerous organizational, economic, and legal risks.

There is literature available on the finer technical points of document management within organizations. However, less attention is given to the practical aspects of designing, evaluating, developing, and implementing a .comprehensive document management solution within the context of a strategic information management plan.

The Clarity Document Management Institute Video Consulting Series has broken new ground by offering a unique, no nonsense, step-by-step education on document management. Authored by Karen V. Strong, Clarity's President, volume one of the series, Successful Document Management: A Structured Approach, is a vendor-independent, multi-media approach that guides an organization through the process of implementing a successful document management solution. The package consists of a 65 minute video, a CD-ROM with presentation slides, and a comprehensive guidebook with supporting material and tips on using the program.

The information contained in each of the six video modules is easy to understand and provides a consistent message about launching a document management initiative and gaining management support for it. The six modules include: (1)...