These are the attributes of a "record" as specified in ISO 15489, the international standard for records management.
If the records received and created in our IT systems lack these characteristics, should we be surprised if those systems engender mistrust and ultimately fail? Indeed, isn't that inevitable? Aren't all four of these attributes "critical factors" for success?
If we use the taxpayers' money to develop and use systems that are doomed to failure, don't they have the right to ask why we continue to act in such a foolhardy (dare I say "stupid"?) way.
