RISK Questionnaire


	INTRODUCTION Implementation of a digital record keeping or preservation project, such as the introduction of an Electronic Document and Records Management System (ERDMS), involves many types of risk, and the success of such projects relies upon careful assessment and management of all risks - What is Risk? While organizations frequently pay attention to identifying technical risks, such as whether a particular EDRMS system adheres to recognized functional requirements, or to addressing financial risks, such as the need to ensure that the business case for an EDRMS is sound, they very often fail to fully assess organizational and human behavioural risks. Yet, in many cases, these aspects of a digital record keeping or preservation implementation are the most challenging and pose the greatest risk to a successful project outcome. This questionnaire aims to fill a gap by providing those embarking on or at the preliminary stages of a digital record keeping or preservation initiatives with a tool to assess their exposure to common organizational and human behavioural risks. The questionnaire consists of 36 questions that test for risk factors that our research indicates are linked to known organizational and human behavioural risks. Those organizations that are further along in the process of implementing a digital record keeping or preservation system may still benefit from completing this questionnaire, but may find that some of the questions are not perfectly aligned to their situation. Some of the questions use specialized records management language. If uncertain about the meaning of terms or how they are used, you may find it useful to consult the InterPARES Terminology Database. By assessing the risk areas - governance, training, change management and human dimensions - that influence records management in your organization, risk areas can be identified and mitigated. Although it is ultimately a matter for each organization to decide their risk tolerance and how best to manage identified risks, forthcoming versions of this tool will include recommended risk mitigation strategies. Completion of this questionnaire should take approximately 20-25 minutes. Please be sure to indicate a response for each question – reflecting on how each question relates to records management (RM) in your organization. At the end of the questionnaire, the risk level that your organization faces when undertaking digital records management will be summarized, with specific explanations of the highest risk areas to your organization. Please note that this questionnaire is a beta version. Feedback and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Please submit feedback through CiFER: Contact Us. Copyright © 2011. CiFER Research.

INTRODUCTION

Implementation of a digital record keeping or preservation project, such as the introduction of an Electronic Document and Records Management System (ERDMS), involves many types of risk, and the success of such projects relies upon careful assessment and management of all risks - What is Risk? While organizations frequently pay attention to identifying technical risks, such as whether a particular EDRMS system adheres to recognized functional requirements, or to addressing financial risks, such as the need to ensure that the business case for an EDRMS is sound, they very often fail to fully assess organizational and human behavioural risks. Yet, in many cases, these aspects of a digital record keeping or preservation implementation are the most challenging and pose the greatest risk to a successful project outcome.

This questionnaire aims to fill a gap by providing those embarking on or at the preliminary stages of a digital record keeping or preservation initiatives with a tool to assess their exposure to common organizational and human behavioural risks. The questionnaire consists of 36 questions that test for risk factors that our research indicates are linked to known organizational and human behavioural risks. Those organizations that are further along in the process of implementing a digital record keeping or preservation system may still benefit from completing this questionnaire, but may find that some of the questions are not perfectly aligned to their situation. Some of the questions use specialized records management language. If uncertain about the meaning of terms or how they are used, you may find it useful to consult the InterPARES Terminology Database.

By assessing the risk areas - governance, training, change management and human dimensions - that influence records management in your organization, risk areas can be identified and mitigated. Although it is ultimately a matter for each organization to decide their risk tolerance and how best to manage identified risks, forthcoming versions of this tool will include recommended risk mitigation strategies.

Completion of this questionnaire should take approximately 20-25 minutes. Please be sure to indicate a response for each question – reflecting on how each question relates to records management (RM) in your organization. At the end of the questionnaire, the risk level that your organization faces when undertaking digital records management will be summarized, with specific explanations of the highest risk areas to your organization.

Please note that this questionnaire is a beta version. Feedback and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Please submit feedback through CiFER: Contact Us.

Copyright © 2011. CiFER Research.