A new wave of government information management: the development of a function-based classification structure in a Canadian government organization

In an effort to improve government information management, people in Canadian government organizations have implemented a number of information management initiatives that are designed to meet the needs of their organizations. Industry Canada is developing its own information classification methodology, known as Business-based Classification Structure (BCS). BCS is unique in the sense that it is a function-based structure, as opposed to widely used subject-based structures. This article will explore the BCS as an information classification structure, how it can improve government information management regardless of shared information repository types, and its costs and benefits.