Contribution of Records Management towards Implementation of the big result now initiative at the former President’s Delivery Bureau in Tanzania

Abstract

Records management is a crosscutting issue, whereas initiatives aimed at enhancing economic performance, increasing government accountability, and strengthening civil society such as anti-corruption efforts, administrative and civil service reform, decentralization, electronic government, legal and judicial reform, public expenditure management, tax policy and administration, and access to information all rely on access to accurate, reliable and trustworthy records. The Big results now initiative launched in Tanzania to eliminate the culture of business as usual, to enhance accountability, efficiency as well as promotion of result-based performance in all government activities for selected government agencies. Despite the vital role which records play in promoting delivery of results, the programme does without recognizing the importance of reliable records in supporting the implementation. The study's goal was to examine records management's contribution to the president's delivery bureau in Tanzania's implementation of the big results now program and to offer records management enhancement measures. The study was informed by four objectives which were to; explore functions of the former President‟s Delivery Bureau, Examine the adequacy of current recordkeeping practices of the bureau, examine the issues that arise in the management of records, and make recommendations for effective record-keeping systems. The DIRKS methodology manual guided the study whereas the records life cycle concept and continuum model were traced. The study employed a qualitative research approach whereby case study design was used to selection of data collections instruments, analysis and presentation of findings. The study used purposive sampling procedure to sample 26 respondents comprising of Directors, Managers, Human resources and administration officer, Analysts, Accountants, IT and registry staff. Data was gathered using a semi structured interview approach, with documentary review as a supplement. There was a link between the functions and the records created or received at the former. President‟s Delivery Bureau according to the findings and that record were the basis for effective implementation of Big Result Now initiative. Other findings included the fact that, despite the critical importance of records management in providing services, the current records management infrastructure was woefully insufficient. Various shortcomings in financial allocation, storage facilities, personnel levels, lack of top management support, and the absence of a records management strategy were also mentioned as contributing causes to inadequate records management. The study finds that in order to be effective and effective implementation of this kind of initiatives improvements and prior Top management should be in charge of incorporating records management. According to the study's findings, the former President's Delivery Bureau should develop and implement a records management policy as soon as possible, seek top-level management support, build capacity for records staff, increase budget allocation for records management, and launch a records management sensitization program, among other things