Big government, big solution: could there be a message for all?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the recent initiatives by the US Federal Government to put in place a robust and comprehensive framework and programme to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of managing Federal records and consider the wider scalability and applicability of the approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the context, the supporting documents and the framework and analyses the extent to which the approach can be applied to organizations in general.

Findings

While very few organizations will have the authority and the resources available to the US Federal Government, the overall framework and its various elements provide a good, concise and up to date guide, irrespective of an organization's size.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is a personal assessment of the US Federal Government approach.

Practical implications

It is hoped that the opinion piece gives food for thought, encouragement to hard pressed professionals to give some time to stepping back and reviewing their activity and highlights some useful, up to date resources.

Originality/value

The opinion piece provides an analysis of a major and current records management initiative.

Citation

Hare, C. (2013), "Big government, big solution: could there be a message for all?", Records Management Journal, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 8-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565691311324997