The Information Appraisal Scorecard (pt 1)

Digital Archivy has developed an Information Appraisal Scorecard to assist clients. This blog entry is related to one practical modern-day example.

Many institutions including, evidently, the White House, face significant cyber challenges. First of all, they struggle to create effective information systems. They also struggle in implementing efficient workflows.  So, with some awareness of needs, they would benefit from an information appraisal scorecard. Most notably, this helps capture and codify provenance, metadata, and value. Ultimately, it will also assist in measuring users and usage with metrics.

From the perspective of digital archivy and information management and other records management nerds, the Impeachment Inquiry will be riveting. It will also be an enlightening experience.

So, with this in mind, we address the extant evidence using information management practices– while the case unfolds before our eyes.  As evidence is uncovered and de-classified and made available, we will appraise sources, assess the content, assign values. We aim to evaluate content to create a better information ecosystem. And we will build a system that tracks the evidential and informational value.

 

INFORMATION APPRAISAL SCORECARD CRITERIA

Because of this, we look at ways to quantify the data. We developed our scorecard to simplify this objective work. We began to look at the foundation, content, and data streams. Here are a few of our criteria:

• assess the media format or the source materials
• identify the content type
• describe the content itself
• assign the level of priority
• classify security levels as needed

We build on our experience appraising archives and advising on records retention schedules. As a result, we apply critical thinking and problem-solving. By examining and evaluating the information and evidence, we compare scores in the scorecard. This is useful for best practice.  In addition, this helps us assign an information appraisal value that will

• determine if evidential or informational value
• consider the volume and quantity or frequency of data and digital assets
• evaluate the uniqueness, authenticity, accuracy and completeness
• assess complexity of data and information relevant to users and usage
• apply access restrictions and user permissions

As a consequence, and by using this criteria as baseline, we create a system to track values based on source and content and users of the documents.

 

 

IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

Similarly, in advance of today’s (September 26) #ImpeachmentInquiry hearing, records were released.   Consequently, they have different informational value. Further, in some cases, they have evidential value as well.  It includes a variety of content and materials.  Specifically:

• Transcript of phone call
• Whistleblower complaint
• Testimony of DNI
• ICIG’s Letter
• White House Memo of Conversation
• Record and notes from phone call by observers; and
• Audio recording of phone calls/conversations between POTUS and Ukrainian President

 

 

In addition, as we look at the network of connections to the left, we can map a new valuation.  Next time we will introduce the information appraisal Scorecard. We will also show a sample with the July 25 Phone Call Transcript. Furthermore,  you can access a copy of the IC IG’s letter here.

Above all, check out examples of some of our client work .  They illustrate how we develop similar systems to create systems and metrics.