Consultancy Services

For two decades, we have worked with governments around the world to strengthen records and information management. See a list of our Consultancy Projects.

Our projects are designed to support governance objectives and contribute effectively to national reform programmes, strengthen local professional capacity and protect the national historical memory. The projects can involve addressing government-wide requirements or supporting sector specific needs. Some projects last for only a few weeks, for instance an analysis of records management requirements. Others are delivered over a number of years, for example where there is a need to build a sustainable infrastructure for records management, which may involve establishing appropriate legal and institutional arrangements; developing clear management responsibilities and performance criteria; upgrading resources and services; drafting policies, standards and practices; and building appropriate new skills. All of our projects are informed by our continuous cycle of research, education and training, and our extensive experience of applying findings and products in the field.

The IRMT can strengthen paper and electronic records systems to support virtually any function where poor records systems impede good governance and service delivery.

Financial Management

Weak records systems can create opportunities for fraud, corrupt procurement and money laundering; make it difficult to introduce effective controls in the areas of payroll and disbursement management; and undermine the integrity of financial management information systems (FMIS).

Human Resource Management

Inadequate personnel records systems, at the central, regional and district level, hinder efficient personnel administration and long-term staff development. They distort civil service payrolls, thus contributing to the existence of ghost workers and the retention of workers past statutory retirement age; and they delay or prevent the payment of benefits. Human resource information systems (HRIS) cannot be trusted if the information they contain is not accurate.

Legal and Judicial Management

Loss of control of court records results in delays in processing cases, provides scope for corruption and undermines the rule of law. Decisions are made without full details of cases, and lawyers and the public are unable to obtain information about cases and their progress. Case management systems cannot make their potential contribution to improving the efficiency of the courts and the delivery of justice unless the case records are reliable and accurate.

Health Care Management

Without up-to-date and easily accessible patient records, health professionals cannot assess the treatment already given to the patient or plan future care. In the absence of complete and reliable records, inappropriate drugs and treatment may be prescribed. Essential data for medical research is not available, and the ability to plan, make decisions, monitor services and conduct clinical audits is undermined.

Land Management

The inability to access reliable land titles creates insecurity and stifles the potential for development; poor land records can result in loss of revenue to the government, open the way for dubious claims and even lead to political instability. Without secure land tenure, property cannot be used as collateral for development.

Decentralisation

If records management systems are not in place when local government functions and resources are devolved from the centre to the regions, local governments are unable to fulfill their responsibilities for managing staff, services and funds. They cannot exchange information with central government or demonstrate transparency and accountability to citizens.

Freedom of Information

FOI is only as good as the quality of the information to which it provides access. The right of access to information is of little use if reliable records are not created or cannot be found when needed. Without them, citizens do not have a basis of trusting that policies, actions and transactions are being carried out in their best interests.