It requires a top-down as well as a bottom up approach looking at all the information flows, barriers, and inefficiencies. An independent information audit team is often preferable, bringing confidentiality and a fresh perspective to the way information is managed and used. A mix of interviews, questionnaires, discussion groups and focus groups need to be used to achieve all the objectives of the audit, to gather all the data and to develop practical proposals. To understand the key issues and business processes, a number of people in 'central' positions are interviewed. A detailed questionnaire to all staff draws out specific information and appropriate data.
Discussion groups test conclusions and focus groups explore particular issues and challenges.
Once the information map is complete and recommendations implemented, the information audit should not be forgotten. Organisations change and information needs and flows change - the information audit should be a regular feature of an organisation, helping to maintain and capitalise on this vital asset. TFPL has been undertaking information audits for clients for many years, but in the last two years the demand has increased dramatically. Organisations are recognising that they don't understand their information needs and they don't 'know what they know'. They are wasting time on searching for what they think they have, rather than using that time to leverage all the information and knowledge that should be at their fingertips.