Adding Action to the Information Audit

Abstract

The Information Audit (IA) has long been seen as an important tool within the Information Management field, with its origins stemming from financial audits. It is used extensively in libraries as an improvement tool and, although many have tried to define it, such as Guy St. Clair (1997), Orna (1999) and Henczel (2001a), there is still no general consensus on a definition, or the steps taken to achieve it. Whatever form it may take, it is agreed that to undertake such a task requires a structured approach. The following study will propose a hybrid approach in which Henczels seven‑stage Information Audit model will be coupled with the Action Research (AR) methodology in order to assist a mid‑sized architectural practice to manage their information throughout the architectural design process, and, in particular, as they attempt to design a new academic building for a prominent Australian university.