Submitted by Terri Griffith on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 07:36
Cary J. Calderone, Esquire argues in his blog “Document Retention Hot Topics” that software, hardware, personnel, and training need to be jointly managed for successful document retention policies. (Document retention policies encompass the rules and regulations around how companies manage their records and communication – call a stock broker and listen to the notice of recording that comes on before you are connected; or, think Enron/Arthur Andersen and document shredding.) You can’t change just one thing when organizations are involved. Technology, practices, and policies need to be managed in concert for successful implementation and valuable outcomes. This legal example shows the reach of this perspective. (Earlier I presented an example from McKinsey on gaining value from technology trends.) If you adopt a new technology, consider how organizational practices or structures might be jointly adapted to gain full value. If you change a practice or restructure, think about how technology adaptations might support the change. Pulling one thread in the fabric of the organization requires other threads to shift as well, otherwise listen for a ripping sound as stressed people and systems struggle to perform.
