IT Governance Business Case
Public Records Collection and Dissemination
Public Affairs
Public Records Collection and Dissemination
Public Affairs
Requests for public records have increased substantially over the past couple of years, including the types of content is being requested. As more records are being created, fulfilling those requests in a timely manner as required by law, as well as tracking them, is becoming more difficult.
• To make a public request, the preferred method is for residents is to submit a request on the Public Records request page on the City of Durham’s website.
• Public Affairs in conjunction with other departments have various methods for receiving, managing and responding to requests for public records which is a decentralized approach.
• Requests are made for different types of records that span various departments. This makes it difficult to collectively coordinate a response.
• Retrieval process of email and text messaging is very inefficient and inadequate.
• There is a manual and time-consuming process to make documents uneditable
• There is a manual and time-consuming process to redact documentation and emails
• The public records request process is too centralized, which creates bottlenecks when there are multiple requests
• Residents have a difficulty determining which department to contact for the records they are seeking
• Departments have different methods for receiving, managing and responding to requests for public records. With no enterprise tool, it is laborious and difficult to coordinate a response
• The current process in Accela is cumbersome
• Many times the response to residents is sent via email due to the fact that a number of residents have difficulty opening up attachments in Accela
• No true end-to-end workflow capability
• Text message retrieval process for the City Manager is currently very cumbersome
Desired Business Value
City of Durham’s Strategic Plan Goal: Innovative & High Performing Organization
• Streamline the existing records request process by adopting a collaborative end-to-end records management tool, which increases efficiencies across the enterprise.
• Improve overall compliance value at the city by retrieving and redacting files more effectively, accurately, and securely.
• Increase efficiency and responsiveness to requests and provide better customer satisfaction.
• Records Portal: End to end solution that features a specialized online portal for accepting, managing, and responding to record requests for all types of media
• An all-in-one platform with robust features like retrieval, redaction, workflows, and reminders
• Easy to use text messaging retrieval process
• Robust reporting & analytic capabilities
• Enhanced retrieval and redaction capabilities with a powerful search function
• Ability to collaborate cross-departmentally to streamline requests so that no request goes unanswered
Description A cloud-based communications retrieval and records management platform that includes all types of content including text messaging
Pros
• All in one platform with robust features retrieval, redaction, and workflows
• Increased efficiencies and responsiveness to requests
• User friendly text messaging retrieval process
• Increased ability to streamline requests cross departmentally
• Capture text messages for up to 25 devices
Cons
• There will be some minor business disruption to the organization until users are proficient using the new tools as with any system
https://www.smarsh.com/solutions/business-need/public-records-manage
*Total Project Funding Requested (External), includes External Year 1 Run Costs and Non-Labor
• No cost
• No cost
We are asking to approve the business case for the Public Records Collection and Dissemination for submission to the City Manager for approval and funding through the BMS department.