The Government Knowledge and Information Management Network (GKIMN) team provides co-ordination of the professions initiatives, drawing on expertise from departments across Whitehall and the wider public sector.
Contact us for more information on any of the policy documents and other Knowledge Council products listed below.
Information matters - the KIM strategy for the civil service
The KIM strategy, entitled Information matters and endorsed by Sir Gus O'Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, is designed to help government departments meet the challenges of the digital era.
On the strategy's launch, Sir Gus O'Donnell said 'Information is vital to the business of government and all civil servants have an essential role to play. Managing information well is an investment, and one that can bring significant returns.'
Information matters: building government capability in managing knowledge and information (PDF, 1.68Mb)
The cross-government Knowledge Council will drive the strategy forward and work with the Head of Profession to develop the framework, tools and capabilities required. This will enable all civil servants to meet the challenge of delivering effective and efficient public services while simultaneously protecting individuals' privacy.
GKIM Professional Skills Framework
The GKIM Professional Skills Framework provides government with a common language with which to describe the specialist attributes that characterise knowledge and information management professionals. The framework defines the skills needed by these professionals working in government and supports their career development.
Access the framework and related FAQs.
Data Sharing Review, Data Handling Procedures and Managing Information Risk
This 2008 report makes a series of recommendations, aimed at transforming the personal and organisational culture of those who collect, manage and share information.
A review was set up to:
- consider whether there should be any changes to the way the Data Protection Act 1998 operates in the UK and the options for implementing any such changes
- provide recommendations on the powers and sanctions available to the regulator and courts in the legislation governing data sharing and data protection
- provide recommendations on how data-sharing policy should be developed in a way that ensures proper transparency, scrutiny and accountability
More resources on handling data and related reports and reviews are available from the Cabinet Office website.
Guidance on managing information risk, prepared by The National Archives, with the support of Cabinet Office, CESG (The National Technical Authority for Information Assurance), CSIA (The Central Sponsor for Information Assurance) and the Information Commissioner's Office, is also available. Download it below.
Managing Information Risk (PDF, 3.70Mb)
Information Principles
Information Principles for the UK Public Sector has been published by the Cabinet Office. The aim of these principles is to 'enable organisations across the public sector to become increasingly aligned in their use and management of information (both structured and unstructured), drawing on their own local strategy and practices from a common set of principles and best practices.'
The National Archives is one of many organisations that have supported the development of these principles and they have been endorsed by The Knowledge Council among other bodies.
Operational Efficiency Programme - Benchmark Report for April 2009-May 2010
This is the first time that the GKIM profession has participated in the government benchmarking exercise. The Knowledge Council, with KIM representatives from key government departments, has led this exercise. It has enabled the GKIM profession to establish a baseline from which to improve performance and efficiency, and provides a measurement of the cost and quality of the function.
The commentary to the Back Office Benchmark Information 2009/10, Cabinet Office, states: 'The largest cost areas for most departments are: i) library expenditure (subscriptions to electronic and printed resources and CLA Copyright Licence) ii) record storage iii) resources for sensitivity review of records for permanent preservation and iv) staffing.'
Related projects and services
Information on other projects and services of The National Archives, which have been developed and delivered in partnership with the Knowledge Council, is available via the related links on the homepage of this site.
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