Functional Classification: What it is and how to benefit

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009

Time: 11:30-12:00 p.m. networking; 12:00-1:00 p.m. program

Cost: FREE (Please bring a can food for Northwest Harvest or monetary donation)

Location: Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5^th Ave Room 1610 (16^th floor)

Program: Functional Classification: What it is and how to benefit

Program Description: The topic of taxonomy, or classification, has risen in prominence in recent years. But there has been relatively little practical discussion about what it really is, and more importantly, how RIM professionals can leverage the specific methodology and system relevant to their needs: functional business classification.

This educational session will provide an overview of functional classification and its importance to RIM professionals and programs. The session will be of interest to all RIM Professionals in any organization, government or private, though the speaker will leverage State and Local government use case examples. Advanced knowledge of classification is not required.

In the session, the speaker will discuss the different classification systems that exist, the Australian DIRKS methodology for developing functional business classifications, and why functional classification – the classification of terms or concepts according to business functions and activity – is a critical methodology and tool for RIM professionals. The focus of the session will be upon practical knowledge and use of classification, use real-world examples based upon the advanced Government RIM ecology in Australia, and provide a starting point, with examples, to encourage local RIM professionals to collaborate, even across dissimilar organizations, to build and leverage common business classifications.

Speaker:

Bruce Schinkelwitz holds a Master of Archival Studies from the University of British Columbia and is a Certified Records Manager (CRM). In the early part of his career, he worked as an archivist and records manager in various public and international organizations, including The BC Archives (now Corporate Records Management Branch), Simon Fraser University Archives, the Archives of Ontario, and the World Bank Group Archives. He has held positions in the ECM/RM industry as senior project manager and implementation specialist for TOWER Software (now HP), FileNet and IBM. Since 2007, he has worked as an independent consultant to clients worldwide, providing RIM and ECM product implementation consulting services. Most recently, he has worked with clients on the development and deployment of functional classifications, taxonomy and retention schedules using the application a.k.a. ® by Synercon Management Consulting P/L of Australia.

Register: This program is open to all Greater Seattle members and their guests. Please register by Tuesday, December 1 by emailing registration@armaseattle.org and include your name, organization, and phone number and number of guests; or Sue Gunderson at sgunderson@datasitenw.com

Directions: To Seattle Municipal Tower on Southbound on I-5: Take the James Street exit #165A and turn right on Columbia or James streets. Northbound on I-5: Take the James Street exit #164A and turn left on James street. For Parking or more detailed directions please see the following Website: http://www.seattle.gov/html/citymap.htm