A new handbook, SA/SNZ HB 168:2017, Document Control, has been developed to provide guidelines for processes and systems for implementing an effective document control program. Separate from recordkeeping and document management, document control addresses the entire life cycle of business critical documents.
Document control is often been seen as a cumbersome, time consuming impediment to business activities due to inefficient processes and systems. However, correct implementation of document control practices can streamline business activities and assist in compliance with legal obligations.
The handbook was prepared by the joint Australian and New Zealand committee IT021, Records and Document Management Systems.
Chair of subcommittee IT-021-14, Casey Mowett, said, “In today’s fast-paced, technology-enabled world, there are countless opportunities for process digitization and automation.
“The development of this handbook has been done with this type of rapid digitization in mind,” Mowett continued. “As a result, this handbook equips businesses and organizations with technical guidelines on how to best control business critical documents.”
Chair of the international ISO technical committee TC 46/SC 11, Archives/Records Management, Judith Ellis, added that the handbook is intended to be widely applied across a number of industries.
“Serving as a complete toolkit, SA/SNZ HB 168 aims to provide the guidelines necessary for organizations to be in the best position possible as they strive to achieve best practice, as well as efficient and accountable document control,” Ellis said. “The handbook has been developed to compliment the implementation of any type of management system.”
Organizations are reminded to consider their own circumstances when using the handbook as a guideline.