This June survey by Iron Mountain Inc. said the success of the directive may rest on federal records managers’ developing new skills. More than 70% of the 100 managers surveyed cited the need for training as their top concern while 68% and 61% named staff and budget resources as additional worries.

The survey also found:

-85 percent said they personally supported the President’s 2011 Memorandum and 93 percent said their agencies have prioritized improving records management processes.

-The vast majority believe their agencies have made it a priority to improve the current records management process.

– Respondents overwhelmingly gave themselves high grades for their current records management practices, including 100% indicating they were “strong” when it came to protecting records and 97% saying they were “strong” when it came to complying with the Federal Records Act.

-Seven in 10 believe they have a “better” plan now for storing and managing government records since the March deadline for complying with the original directive.

-Nearly two thirds of employees involved with federal records feel that improving the management of government records is a “significant” priority within their agencies.

-More than six in ten respondents believe their budget for records management will not change.

-Partnerships are working. Federal records management teams that partnered with other departments such as IT, Legal and COOP had higher confidence in the effectiveness of their records management practices than those who didn’t partner with other agencies.