Information Resource Management

(IRM) A philosophical and practical approach to managing

government information. Information is regarded as a valuable

resource which should be managed like other resources, and

should contribute directly to accomplishing organisational

goals and objectives. IRM provides an integrated view for

managing the entire life-cycle of information, from

generation, to dissemination, to archiving and/or destruction,

for maximising the overall usefulness of information, and

improving service delivery and program management.

IRM views information and Information Technology as an

integrating factor in the organisation, that is, the various

organisational positions that manage information are

coordinated and work together toward common ends. Further,

IRM looks for ways in which the management of information and

the management of Information Technology are interrelated, and

fosters that interrelationship and organisational integration.

IRM includes the management of (1) the broad range of

information resources, e.g., printed materials, electronic

information, and microforms, (2) the various technologies and

equipment that manipulate these resources, and (3) the people

who generate, organise, and disseminate those resources.

Overall the intent of IRM is to increase the usefulness of

government information both to the government and to the

public.

[Gary D. Blass et al. "Finding Government Information: The

Federal Information Locator System (FILS)", Government

Information Quarterly, JAI Press, Inc., Greenwich,

Connecticut. Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 11-32. 1991].

(1995-11-12)