Information Revolution
Every fortnight Karl, Judi and Michael get together to discuss topics in information management practice that are relevant for today and the future. We’ll bring in other industry insiders to talk about what they’re doing, and how their practice is changing. Information management in government is in the midst of a long term transition. To be successful now and in the future, we have to be active participants in the day-to-day business of our organisations and in the design of the information resources that our organisations use. If we get this right, the next big gains in productivity and public good will come from us. It’s a revolution in information management – and we want everyone to be part of it. Hosted by Karl Melrose, Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ) and Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ).
Listen on:
Video, if you prefer
You can check out the Information Revolution YouTube channel, if you're into talking heads. (No, not Talking Heads.)
Same content as the podcast, just with video.
Episodes
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Friday Oct 20, 2023
We're properly back back! Judi asks what we'd do if we were setting up a brand new organisation. Michael pushes the idea of establishing principles, not rules.
Karl mentions the Greiner growth model, here's one description of that: https://medium.com/@potherca/the-greiner-company-growth-model-ccc7e252b492
With your hosts:
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ)
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
How do you measure effectiveness of a records programme? Karl and Michael talk collusive relationships, data profiles (stocktakes by yet another name?) time and motion, lining measurement up with real outcomes, using the skills we have, how the ever-growing volume of stuff actually affects us, and the discourse around recordkeeping.
Some links related to things we mention:
An ANAO report on Management of Information Assets: https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/management-information-assets
The RIMPA Executive Engagement programme: https://www.rimpa.com.au/events/ems-events-calendar/executive-engagement-masterclass-overview.html
A YouTube clip about Teams chat Michael mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy32qqtgryo
With your hosts for this episode:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
(Judi was just away for this one.)
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
Is knowledge management still a thing? Surely, but how does it relate to records and information management? Isn't making tacit knowledge explicit making a record?
With your hosts:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Friday Jul 28, 2023
Friday Jul 28, 2023
It's been as good as a year, so for our 21st episode the Information Revolution hosts take a minute to reflect. Do we still need a revolution in our profession? Are there things we've changed our minds about? Things we wished we said?
Somewhere along the way we talk about the idea of formally debating topics, of inviting people to be the devil's advocate, and of an "EDRMS" made up of many tools, not one monumental solution.
With your hosts:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Friday Jul 14, 2023
Friday Jul 14, 2023
Our 20th episode! The Information Revolution hosts dig into what it means to manage databases from a records and information perspective, with a focus on those that power business applications.
What if you keep the whole database? What if you pull reports out? What does it mean to maintain access? How do you decide? ... and how much of this is really only about databases?
With your hosts:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Friday Jun 30, 2023
It's essential for information and records folks to collaborate, and the hosts of Information Revolution thought it was past time we had a real designer on the show. Amy Stoks from Good People talks about human centred design, two of the possible objectives of discovery, and hopefully avoids an existential crisis!
With your hosts:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Friday Jun 16, 2023
We continue on from the last two episodes, where we talked about how EDRMS has failed for government and the opportunities and risks for managing information in Microsoft 365. Includes some chat about digital disposition / disposal and the range of reasons that government agencies keep information beyond typical appraisal criteria.
With your hosts:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Friday Jun 02, 2023
If EDRMS has been a failed endeavour for government, how about managing information in Microsoft 365? What are the risks and opportunities? Time to talk M365 head-on.
With your hosts:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ and UK)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Sunday May 21, 2023
Sunday May 21, 2023
Time to address something head on: electronic document and records management systems have failed, if we're talking about government recordkeeping in practice. Failure analysis is important for figuring out what we need to do.
We discuss what EDRMS is, what we think success looks like, what are some reasons that hasn't happened in real life - and, as always, would love to hear your thoughts!
With your hosts:
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ and UK) and
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)
Sunday May 07, 2023
Sunday May 07, 2023
Judi takes point, talking about how to get the big picture and what that means. Also that it doesn't need to be a long, slow thing. How do you make useful tactical changes, creating a virtuous cycle AND have confidence that you're heading in the right direction? Start by understanding the information landscape.
With your hosts:
Judi Vernau (Metataxis NZ and UK)
Karl Melrose (Castlepoint Systems)
Michael Upton (Metataxis NZ)