informationmanagement

Information management is the discipline of ensuring that information is effectively created, stored, organized, secured, retrieved, and disposed of to support an organization's objectives. It integrates data management, knowledge management, and records management.

It covers the information lifecycle from capture and creation, through storage, processing, and dissemination, to archiving and disposal. Metadata, information architecture, and taxonomy help locate and interpret information.

Governance and policy are central, including data stewardship, access controls, privacy, retention schedules, and regulatory compliance. Roles such as information manager, data steward, and records manager are common.

Technologies include databases, data warehouses, data lakes, enterprise content management, document management systems, records management systems, search and collaboration tools, and information governance platforms.

Standards and frameworks: ISO 15489 (records management), ISO/IEC 27001 (information security), DAMA-DMBOK, and various regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) shape practices.

Benefits and challenges: information management can improve decision making, operational efficiency, risk management, and compliance; challenges include data fragmentation, data quality, privacy concerns, and the cost of implementation.