The term “life cycle” is used extensively when talking about information management but none of the existing definitions deal effectively with the death phase or even recognize that it exists. When you create a new BI report, do you also establish a way to track usage so that you know when it is no longer needed? When you implement a new IT system, do you define the data retention and deletion policies and procedures for its dataset? Does your company routinely evaluate applications and repositories for inactive data that is not adding business value? If you answered NO to any of these questions, you are not adequately managing the full life-cycle.

It’s time we expanded the notion of information life-cycle to include its eventual demise. My view of a more complete life-cycle model for information management consists of six stages each of which presents unique challenges and requires unique methods and tools. (more…)