Reevaluating the mission of control in records management: tools for a staff-centered approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to suggest that a user-centered approach to records management may result in more sustainable, intuitive and defensible records management programs compared to alternatives. Design/methodology/approach A two-part methodology is adopted: part one explores the literature for records management programs that impose a high degree of control over records at cost to users, and part two explores the author’s experience of developing tools that facilitate a user-centred approach. Findings To adopt a user-centred approach to records management requires reassessing the degree of control that should be imposed over records. Originality/value This paper provides an original analysis of the field of records management through the lens of usability, as well as original solutions in the form of technology that supports usability.