New Things!

Some new things are upon us!

1. The ICRM just published their new logo.  It looks a little hipper than the old one and has some symbolism in the shape:

The 6 corners of the hexagon represent the 6 exams, and the 3 corners of the triangle within the hexagon represent the 3 phases of the CRM process, which are application, certification, and examination.  Expect to see more of the logo in the future.

2. A new exam cycle is upon us... the next cycle is May 7 through May 18.  That gives you lots of time to book an exam if you're ready to write.  Speaking of which - some of you have commented privately that the Pearson Vue writing centres aren't open in Calgary, and that (this is crazy) you had to travel to Edmonton or Red Deer to write your exam.  Come on!!  I've investigating this and will provide an update shortly.  If you have any recent news, please let me know.

3. A new CRM Prep course will be offered.  More details to follow, but the chapter will offer it mid-June.  This will be good for those of you who:

• Are planning to write exams in August (the prep course provides an excellent preparation for studying for the exams... so having some time between the course and the exams themselves is a good thing)
• Wrote in May or previously, didn't quite make it on a couple of the exams, and want some additional help for those exams
• Is interested in writing the exams, but hasn't really started the process yet and would like some guidance and help

More detail on this to follow.  It will be facilitated by yours truly, same as last April.

4.  Finally, the weather is new... kind of.  It seems that winter is having a tough time letting go, but we're starting to hit double digits for daily highs and that's all right.  Time to break out the deck chairs with beer holders and celebrate the new season!

Happy springtime to you all.

Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison
icrmrep@armacalgary.org

The Future of Records Management

I was asked today, “What’s the future of Records Management look like?”  While it’s perhaps a little dangerous (or at least arrogant) to claim knowledge of the future, I will take the bait and go for it.  Thanks to Allan from Athabasca County for the suggestion, and a disclaimer – these are my views and not necessarily those of my employer.

To look forward we first need to look backward.  I’ve been in information management for more than 16 years now (holy cow).  So much has changed since then – social media, personal devices, cloud services, blockchain – sometimes it feels like a brave new world.  And yet so much has stayed the same.  The most pressing RM trend in 2001 was big buckets in retention schedules.  The most hotly anticipated technology was artificial intelligence (AI) and records auto-classification.  The biggest issue was how to effectively manage email.  Guess what:  we’re still talking about the same things.

Even so there exists today a kind of technological optimism that, pretty soon now, there will be a breakthrough in AI and then RM will be a matter of letting the technology automate everything.  I’m constantly tempted by that notion, but when I get my head out of the clouds, I know not to expect it anytime soon.  Why is that?  Because while the technology to manage information grows steadily, the complexity of information grows rapidly.  We still have nothing but trouble managing email – and the technology is almost 50 years old!!!

I believe that the issues of tomorrow will be the issues of today, but clothed in different colours and styles.  We will be struggling to separate transitory information from official information; we will be looking for more effective ways to identify official information eligible for disposition; we will be striving to protect information from premature destruction through retention policies and legal holds.  There will be a continuing effort to automate records processes and bring information governance principles to structured data, social media, mobile platforms, and the next trend in information sharing, whatever (as yet unknown) form that takes.  Some of you may disagree with me on this, but I haven’t been convinced otherwise yet because information still holds massive legal and operational risk and value, and because it’s what history tells me.

So:  do not believe that the job of the Records Manager is a short-term prospect.  Records Managers (or information managers, or information governance professionals), with their knowledge and experience of the principles of managing information, are critical to organizations moving forward into the next age.

My two cents.  Please leave comments, especially if you agree and more especially if you disagree.

Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison
icrmrep@armacalgary.org

CRM Workshop - Postponed

For those that saw the post previous to this (now removed), the CRM workshop has been postponed.  We will look to offer it in the spring sometime - stay posted or check the ARMA Calgary website at www.armacalgary.org.

Wayne Hoff
ICRM Liaison
icrmrep@armacalgary.org

Happy Holidays - and a New CRM Workshop!

While details aren't 100% finalized yet, ARMA Calgary is hosting another CRM workshop at the end of January, with yours truly again facilitating it.  The last workshop, held in April, was very successful - several attendees passed CRM exams following the workshop, and two attendees went on to pass Part 6 and get their CRM designation.  It was a day of great learning!  Details about the January workshop should be coming out in the new year, so if you're reading this ahead of time, you've got advance knowledge!

Because the last week has slowed down just a little bit, I've been cleaning up my email.  It's a chore, because they've been piling up for about 2 years (since the last time I did a big clean up) and... please don't judge me... I have thousands of emails to individually check and make a decision on (transitory, transitory, official, transitory...).  I'll be dreaming about it in my sleep tonight.  But it sure is a good feeling to have it done, if I can finish it today... I'm hoping.  I'm also trying to set myself up for success in the new year; I'm setting aside time on my calendar for email management and I've created a couple of rules and keyboard shortcuts that make it quick and easy to move messages to their appropriate folders.  Maybe next December I'll share how well this is working. :)

I wish for you a Merry Christmas, a wonderful break, however long that might be, and a spectacular New Year.  See you in 2018!

Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP
ARMA Calgary Liaison
icrmrep@armacalgary.org

Some Clarification of CRA vs. CRM

A recent experience should be shared for those of you that are considering the CRA (Certified Records Analyst) versus the CRM (Certified Records Manager) designations.  By way of review:

• You get your CRA designation when you pass parts 2, 3, and 4
• You get your CRM designation when you pass all 6 parts

A candidate I know recently applied for her CRM designation and was approved for taking the exams.  However, her notice of approval said CRA, not CRM, and when she went to register for exams she was blocked from registering for Part 1 and Part 5.  Confusion ensued!!  Instead of living in perpetual wonder, I emailed the good folks at the ICRM and got a phone call back from Meghan who cleared the confusion.  The issue?  The candidate had checked the "CRA Credential Requested" box in her application, which is an option for applicants who want to get the CRA (either exclusively, or as a stepping stone to the CRM).

In the grand scheme of things, checking that box changes nothing.  The requirements for qualifying for the CRA are exactly the same as for qualifying for the CRM.  The only real difference is that, in the return notice that says "congratulations, you qualify!" it says "CRA" in the title instead of "CRM."  It was a surprise to Meghan that the candidate couldn't register for part 1 and part 5 exams - she's looking into that, and presumably in the future parts 1 and 5 will be open to both CRA and CRM candidates.

If I were only just now applying to the ICRM, I would probably go for the CRA and write parts 2, 3, and 4 first.  Just so that I could put some official initials after my name sooner rather than later!  But you're in no way limited by that, so the choice is up to you.

Maybe this will clear up some confusion.

Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison
icrmrep@armacalgary.org

I heard this joke the other day, and it made me laugh.  Scroll down for the answer.

What's brown and sticky?





























A stick.
(Laugh, groan, or roll your eyes.  Your choice.)

The Old vs. the New

The CRM exams cover a wide spectrum between the old and the new.  Technological questions may be covered in any exam part, and Part 5, Technology, specifically covers records systems, imaging, and electronic records management.  At the same time, as a CRA/CRM candidate you are expected to know the full range of traditional paper processes as well.  In fact, I've heard criticisms in the past about the fact that the CRM exam is "mired in ancient history."

Here's the thing:  records managers still have to manage paper.  Lots of it.  Tons of it.  And for the foreseeable future, that won't change.  We look forward to the day - nay, dream of the day! - when we can leave paper processes behind, but for now most of us still have to manage those paper official records.  And at the same time we work hard to adapt to the reality of constantly changing technology so that we can manage records in all formats appropriately for our organizations.

Therefore, when you study for exams, it's important to study the old - with apologies to all of the following, I'm talking about Saffady, Robek, and Langemo - as well as the new.  The new is a little harder.  Books on electronic records management are out there, and have value - I'm thinking of Smallwood, Blair, Kahn, plus many others - but when the books are even a couple of years old they're already out of date.  That means you need to be on blogs, newsfeeds, the RM listserv, and webinars to really get a picture of what's happening now in electronic information management.

You might ask, "How likely is it that such leading-edge technology will be in the CRM exams?"  I'm not sure - they make new questions all the time, so the chance is definitely there.  But it's important for you to look beyond the exam.  You don't become a great records manager by passing CRM exams; you become a great records manager by being engaged in the industry and following what's going on.  You think you're studying for an exam??  No!  You're studying for your career.

Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison
icrmrep@armacalgary.org

Calling All Aspiring CRM/CRAs...

Ah, fall.  The nights are getting cold, the leaves are turning yellow, and (as of today, with my kids) students are reluctantly stumbling back to school.  It's part of the annual natural cycle.

There's a concurrent cycle in the CRM world as well.  The August exam cycle has just completed, and those with bleary eyes are getting some much-needed sleep.  Exam writers are exulting, licking wounds, or both, and Part 6 writers are sitting on pins and needles until results are back.  (The grading deadline for graders is today, so those results shouldn't be too far off.)  And with everyone getting back to school and studies, the next generation of potential CRM candidates is already pondering their professional development possibilities.

Perhaps that's you.  The CRM designation is still the most widely-recognized RIM credential out there, and it has a good reputation largely because the exam process is so grueling.  Check out the ICRM website for information on the exams and on applying.

If you have already committed to yourself or to your employer to write the exams, maybe you'd like a study partner?  I can arrange to get introduce candidates and provided a suggested study approach if you're interested.  Just give me a shout at 403-297-5746.

The next exam cycle is November 6-17, with registration closing November 2nd.  For exam cycles for the next couple of years, look here.

Good luck to our Part 6 candidates still awaiting word, and to all candidates happy studying.

Wayne Hoff
ICRM Liaison
icrmrep@armacalgary.org