The internal information audit: conducting the audit and implementing the results

Abstract

Follows on from an earlier article (Business Information Review, 17 (4) December 2000, 205-214) which emphasized the importance of information auditing in building the foundations of an entrepreneurial library and information service for the corporate organization. Continues in this vein by examining in more detail the mechanisms involved in the information audit, which allows the information provider or information manager to gain a clear understanding of information requirements and use in the whole of the organization. The main elements of the audit comprise: identifying the organization’s real information needs; identifying who needs the information; understanding why people in the organization go elsewhere for information; and finding out where the customers are in the organization. This will result in a set of documents and plans allowing the library and information service to provide the information when it is needed and in the necessary format. Sets out in detail the major factors to be included in information audits, including: defining information resources and services; determining what the organization’s real information needs are; applying the results of the audit; budgets/finance; and evaluation. Concludes that the final results of the analysis of the information audit and related marketing activities should provide a unique understanding of the organization and the behaviour of the information users and information seekers in the organization.