Good reasons for information policies

This reading gave me a better idea why organisations need information policies:

Bryson, J. (2007). Chapter 10: Policy making. Managing information services: A transformational approach (pp/125-130). Burlington, Vt.: Ashgate e-Book. [ebook]

 We need policies around accessing and using information because basically it can be used for evil as well as good.  And companies can get bad publicity out of it – as in the UK phone hacking scandal.  Plus companies need them as a set of guidelines to follow in certain situations.

In a nutshell information policies should:

·         solve a problem or recurring problem at an organisational level.

·         provide guidance in decision making – just consult the policy!

·         ensure consistency – are we presenting a consistent face to the public? Are we all doing the same things?

·         declare where the company stands on issues

·         clarify company values or intentions

·         grant rights and entitlements

·         set out expectations

·         make commitments

It’s not a “set and forget” thing.  You have to have an ongoing process.  Things change, situations arise, repositioning of organisations occurs.