Institute of Certified Records Managers
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[edit] Introduction
In today's evolving knowledge economies, the convergence of IM domains indicates the need for a greater integration of management disciplines that build the capacity of business to achieve desired outcomes. Among disciplines such as Financial and Human Resource Management, Information Technololgy and Business Administration, the field of Records Management (increasingly recognized as Recorded Information Management) is often overlooked.
The RIM domain is all about managing recorded information resources, regardless of media, in accord with their identified value to business process. Both the asset and liability characteristics of records are considered through analysis of a set of defined values. This analysis grounds considerations such as retention planing; business continuity; access provisions; procurement and use of space, equipment and supplies; media conversion; as well matters such as strategic use of information resources, compliance with international and local standards (Sarbanes Oxley, Basel II, ISO 15489, and the ISO 9000 series, etc.). Depending on the organizational environment, it may extend into intellectual property management, knowledge resource development and intellectual capital assessment.
The Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) is the international certifying body for the RIM domain generally, and for the Nuclear Information and Records Management Association (NIRMA) and ARMA International, the largest association of records managers and administrators.
Certified Records Managers (CRM) undergo testing in a range of management and domain specific knowledge before writing a final examination in which knowledge is applied in case studies. Certification requires successful completion of the six part examination within a five year period. Thereafter, CRMs must maintain certification by demonstrating continuous learning through participation in a range of activities. The examination outline is available at the ICRM Website.
CRMs come from a broad range of backgrounds and many hold multiple certifications and degrees. All share an interest in managing recorded information resources in accord with business interests and within the ICRM Code of Ethics. Therefore, it is common that CRMs may specialize in aspects of the records management field (e.g. highly regulated industries, law, education, etc. or electronic records, cartographics, etc.) or may integrate their domain knowledge into other leadership roles (CEO, CIO, CKO, Archivist, Records Manager or similar role) in public, private and non-profit sectors.
The ICRM administers the examinations independently and has no educational component that might taint the objectivity of the process.
