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. 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. 

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.

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.

To complete the questionnaire, register with CiFER and request access to the Beta risk assessment tool.