Information Management
Managing information-based resources is now widely recognized in industry and
government to be as critical as managing financial and human resources. This has led
to the acceptance of information management, namely, the coordinated management of
an organization's information-based resources, including its information holdings
and investments in technology. It implies planning, directing and controlling all
of the organization's information-based resources to meet corporate goals and to
deliver programs and services. It is a consequence of the premise that an
organization's information holdings and investments in information technology
are valuable resources and critical factors in the achievement of its objectives.
The Treasury Board has long exercised leadership and coordination for information
management in government. The broad direction was approved in 1994 by the
Treasury Board and promulgated in Strategic Direction for Government:
Information Management
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/ciopubs/im-gi/sdg-osg1_e.asp. A companion document was also
approved as part of the information policy framework and used to set out a vision of the
future. Enhancing Services through the Innovative use of Information and Technology
can be referenced at
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/ciopubs/im-gi/im2_e.asp.
In 1999, this direction was updated in Strategic Directions for Information
Management and Information Technology: Enabling 21st Century Service to Canadians.
It can be referenced at
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/ciopubs/tb_oimp/sdimit_e.asp.
At no other time in the Government of Canada's history has information management
been as important as it is today. As it enters the new millennium, the Government is
implementing plans to connect Canadians to all government information and
services by the Year 2004. Central to the success of these plans is
Government's capacity to manage that information. The stakes are high.
Citizens will expect their government to manage the information they provide
in a trustworthy environment. Public servants will expect an infrastructure of
policies, standards and practices, systems and qualified people to be in place to
help them manage the information they need to support program and service delivery
and, above all, to hold themselves accountable. Government is in the information
business and the extent to which it manages information effectively will mark
the extent to which it continues to be a responsive and responsible government
within a democratic society. As government programs and services are
increasingly delivered electronically, however, the government's ability to
manage its information will be challenged significantly.
The report
Information Management in the Government of Canada - A Situation
Analysis and the three supporting background papers
("Issues", "Concepts", "Recommendations") are
designed to help government orient itself to meet this challenge.
Guidance in the management of information and technologies is provided by
Treasury Board's information policies:
Management
of Government Information (MGI). The MGI policy is
concerned with the life cycle management of information and the utilization of
information resources of the government as a corporate resource. The Management of
Information Technology (MIT) policy identifies the need to utilize
information technology as a strategic tool to renew the way that government
provides its services and programs.
Visit the Information Management Resource Centre
for detailed information related to ongoing activities regarding the state of
Information Management in the federal government.
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