ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the creation phase of records and information. It provides guidance on business analysis a prerequisite of planning for systems of record keeping on information audits/surveys and on the design and implementation of file plans for both paper and electronic records. The process of business analysis involves identifying and then examining the component parts of an organisation, in order to gain information about how the organisation functions and the relationships between various tasks, jobs, people, structures and other elements. Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) commissioned a study of the records life cycle in 1999. An integral part of this study was the business function activity model (FAM). Business analysis is an analytical approach to organisational change. A physical survey requires records staff to visit business areas and look into each item of records storage equipment, ask questions and complete a standard survey form.
