Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Case Study
Capability Assessment - Records and Information Management
CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency, operating in a highly regulated environment where effective records and information management is essential to governance, research integrity and compliance. As organisational needs evolved beyond traditional records services, CSIRO required a clearer pathway to modernise its Records and Information Management (RIM) capability.
Evinact was engaged to assess current-state capability, identify future service needs and develop recommendations for a more contemporary, digitally enabled RIM function.
As an Australian Government statutory authority, CSIRO must meet legislative records and information management obligations, including requirements set by the National Archives of Australia (NAA).
Historically, the RIM team focused on traditional records management and hardcopy archive services. However, demand was increasing for broader capability across:
- Digital information management
- Information governance and policy
- Information compliance
- Digital archives
- Support for organisation-wide initiatives, including CSIRO’s digital strategy
To remain fit for purpose, CSIRO required a modern service model aligned to contemporary information management expectations and the needs of a complex research organisation.
Evinact undertook a structured capability assessment of CSIRO’s RIM function, combining workforce input, stakeholder consultation and policy analysis.
This included:
- Development and delivery of an online self-assessment survey for RIM team members
- One-to-one interviews with key stakeholders
- Review of existing strategies, policies, procedures, position descriptions and relevant documentation
- Analysis of current capability, service maturity and future needs
Evinact then developed a suite of recommendations, including:
- Gap analysis of team capabilities against NAA Capabilities for IM Professionals
- Gap analysis of services against NAA’s Building Trust in the Public Record policy requirements
- A high-level RIM service catalogue
- A recommended team structure, including resourcing and capability needs
Together, these deliverables provided a practical roadmap for evolving the RIM function.
The engagement gave CSIRO a clearer and more evidence-based pathway to modernise records and information management capability.
Evinact delivered:
- Strategic clarity on future service priorities
- Defined team structure and resourcing considerations
- Stronger alignment to national best practice requirements
- A modern service catalogue aligned to organisational needs
This positioned CSIRO to:
- Strengthen information governance across the organisation
- Better support digital initiatives and changing service demands
- Build capability in contemporary information management disciplines
- Improve confidence in future workforce and operating model decisions
- Establish a more future-focused and sustainable RIM function
The assessment created a stronger foundation for modern, compliant and digitally enabled information management at CSIRO.
Ready to turn your evidence into action? Get in touch now.
Get StartedRelated case studies
Department of Defence
Evinact was engaged to develop a structured decision framework that simplified approval pathways, supported lawful decision-making and reduced the risk of inadvertent disclosure.
Austroads Data Sharing Platform
Evinact was engaged to configure a cloud-based proof of concept platform, run national pilots with local governments, and test how road asset data could be shared, harmonised and used to generate actionable insights at scale.
Australian Digital Health Agency
Evinact was engaged to assess existing practices and develop a structured framework that strengthened data reliability, accountability and ongoing quality management.
