Research update - identifying the consistent principles of current awareness
Jinfo Blog

By Robin Neidorf

Abstract

We identify three key principles essential for any successful current awareness plan.

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At Jinfo, we've conducted research on news products and provision of current awareness services for over 10 years.

During the Research Focus, "Content and technology for current awareness", we reinforced our opinion that in current awareness there is no "right way" to deliver the service, and no "one-size-fits-all" product or approach.

Fundamentals for your current awareness plan

But there ARE consistent principles that belong in any current awareness plan if you want to achieve success:

1. Current awareness planning must start with the "why" - start by understanding your users and why they really need this service, NOT by evaluating products
   
   
2. Opting out of current awareness provision - question deeply if these investments of time and money are the best use of your resources
   
   
3. Smart decisions on current awareness require data - base decisions on data you can gather consistently and accurately, without relying on user reporting.

But what makes them hard to implement?

Although these principles apply to most areas of information service provision, not just current awareness, we examined some of the variables making these concepts particularly elusive for this content category:

• Technology evolution: The technology supporting more diversity and specificity in content for current awareness has matured, opening up new (and distracting) possibilities
  
  
• All things to all people: Current awareness covers a broad range of users and stakeholders - a particular challenge when balancing investment and approach
  
  
• Changes in user needs: Today's users are very different to those of ten years ago, or even two years ago, in terms of needs, usage patterns, feature requirements and more.

Request your free copy of our "Insights & actions report on current awareness" for further discussion on those three principles along with a thematic index to all content published in the Research Focus.

Or start with the ideas in this blog item and implement them to create the conditions for success in your service.

This item was featured in the most recent Jinfo Newsletter. The Jinfo Newsletter brings you updates on Jinfo's research, latest resources and tips. If you're not yet receiving it, register here (free).

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