The Managing the Information Lifecycle infoKit represents the basic underlying principles of good practice regarding information management which are generically applicable regardless of the specific type of information in question. All the other subject-specific strands included within this resource, such as the records management and email management infoKits are an extension and refinement of this basic guidance and should always be read in conjunction with the advice contained within this infoKit.
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Skip to one of the phases described below or start with the Introduction.
Creation
Creating information appears at first glance to be easy and to require little thought or planning. Quantity, however, does not necessarily equal quality. Indeed it can often help contribute against it. The questions to be addressed during this phase are largely aimed at ensuring that the information created is fit for purpose and that it is contains appropriate and reliable content. |
Active Use
The active use phase of the lifecycle can be described as the period during which information is in constant or regular use. It is necessary to think about how that information can and should be used - not to try to prevent innovation or stifle creativity, but to address the potential risks to your organisation which could occur as a result of the uncontrolled use of information. |
Semi-Active Use
This often represents the most problematic and dangerous phase of all in the information lifecycle. This is the period during which people may forget where the information came from, what its place in the process was or indeed why it was created at all-potentially leading to the accidental breakdown of whatever carefully constructed management controls were put in place during the preceding phases. |
Final Outcome
The final outcome phase is the last phase of the lifecycle and covers two different and diametrically opposed processes which together encapsulate the fate of all information: either its permanent preservation or its deletion. Due to the holistic approach at the heart of information lifecycle management both these themes are touched on repeatedly throughout earlier phases but are most relevant during this final phase. |
