Introduction

The University adopted an Information Management Strategy(in December 2008) which sets out a series of policies and actions designed to make peoples' working lives pleasanter and more productive. The main aims are to make it easier to find information, reduce the time taken to do simple tasks, protect data, develop better ways of working and stay on the right side of the law.

A set of Information Management Principles were adopted that will inform the University's approach to Information Management in terms of availability, quality and ownership. We are grateful to Monash University for permission to use these and other elements of its exemplary strategy.

The strategy is based on strong evidence that information workers spend a lot of time looking for the information they need to do their job and in other unproductive information related tasks. Any positive changes in this situation should enable staff to manage their teaching, research and administrative functions more effectively.

An important element of the strategy is that related to Management Information. The establishment of the College and School structure in 2007 and the devolution of significant functional management responsibilities from the University's centre quickly revealed a pressing and growing need for better quality reports on students, staff and financial matters. A Management Information Working Group takes the lead on this aspect of the programme.

An Information Governance Framework was established to oversee the implementation of the strategy and, more generally, to ensure best practice in the University's information management.

The Information Services Directorate provides programme support, specifically David George (Director of Information Services) and Alison Coughtrie (Programme Manager).