I have found the Toolkit to be an extremely useful resource. When I was devising a new file classification I used the Toolkit as a guide. It assisted me in getting a draft file classification together before I went out and consulted with the various teams in the organisation. I used the policy and procedure module to assist me with the draft of our RM Policy. I have used various modules of the Toolkit and found all of them easy to understand and easy to apply to our organisation.
I was on a working party for one of the modules when the Toolkit was first devised and have recently been on a working party for a revised module. Being a member of a working party has been a great way to look outside your organisation and see the bigger picture. It is also a great way to meet other colleagues. As I do not live in one of the big cities the Toolkit and being on a working party has made me feel part of a team and not like a RM person working in isolation.
Without the Toolkit our organisation would have struggled to be PRA compliant.
Lesley Officer, Manager Administration Services
New Plymouth District Council
As a newcomer to the land of EDRMS technology and usability, the IM Toolkit was invaluable not only personally for me but also for our Council to understand what we needed to know before, during and after life without EDRMS. My right arm was, and still is, the “tools and technology” volume. Without them I would have stumbled through the project. Instead I had some real guidance and tools that I was able to use to provide the right information for the project and also to guide me through the process of doing preparation work such as classification, metadata requirements, IM strategy components, and more. Today sees me using the Toolkit on a daily basis for refining our decisions, ongoing audits, inventory requirements when staff members leave the organisation, and providing powerful and meaningful input into projects which have a records management component.
I was fortunate to be a volunteer for a couple of the initial working parties and the experience and knowledge gained from this has resulted in recognition from my managers in respect of upskilling and knowledge learnt by being involved. I have and will continue to be the first to volunteer for any working party for the Toolkit as I believe wholeheartedly that these resources are invaluable and contribute to the success of any EDRMS implementation project and the ongoing learning of knowledge for any records management person.
Jillian Jary, Records Administrator
Nelson City Council
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council have made extensive use of the Toolkit in the last year when redesigning our fileplan, going to RFP for a new EDRMS, and most recently for updating our Retention and Disposal schedule. We have found the Toolkit to be invaluable in understanding all the relevant issues involved in these complex areas. It provides guidance and helps give consistency across local government which has positive flow on effects when collaborating with other councils, so we are all talking the same language. It also sets a high standard that we can aim for over time, and keeps us on track towards good information management. ALGIM works closely with SWIM to provide constant updates plus informing and including us in the process of change. We feel very much part of the process.
Bruce Balfour, Support Services Manager
Western Bay of Plenty District Council