Imagine this: your project is nearing completion. The plant is built, the systems are tested, and the team is ready to hand over to Operations. But instead of a smooth transition, chaos unfolds. Documents are missing, systems don’t talk to each other, and no one knows who’s responsible for what. Sound familiar?
This isn’t just a worst-case scenario - it’s a reality many teams face when Information Management (IM) isn’t embedded from the start.
At Recusant, we’ve supported projects where IM challenges emerged late in the lifecycle. While not every recommendation was implemented, the experience highlighted how early support and practical tools can make a significant difference.
In many projects, documentation is assumed to be the contractor’s responsibility. But when handover time arrives, teams often find themselves chasing down drawings, verifying versions, and trying to piece together a digital trail that should have been clear from day one.
Lesson: IM should never be the sole responsibility of the contractor. It must be a shared effort, with internal roles clearly defined and oversight embedded throughout the lifecycle.
How Recusant Can Help: We support clients by defining internal IM responsibilities, developing documentation standards, and fostering collaboration between project and operations teams.
Operations teams need specific data and documents to run facilities safely and efficiently. Without a formal DDFO (Data and Documents for Operations) or handover plan, transitions can be unclear and incomplete.
Lesson: Build your DDFO and handover plan early. These aren’t just checklists - they’re your compass for a successful transition.
How Recusant Can Help: Even when clients aren’t ready to implement full DDFO frameworks, we assist by developing supporting documentation and templates that lay the groundwork for future adoption.
Multiple platforms - SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Document Management Systems, Drawing Management Systems, Safety Health Management Systems etc. are often used without integration. Searching for a document becomes a frustrating maze.
Lesson: Centralise your digital repositories. Pick one system, structure it well, and mandate its use across all teams and contractors.
How Recusant Can Help: We help clients structure their repositories, define metadata standards, and reduce duplication - even within existing systems.
Document Control is often misunderstood or under-resourced. When treated as a general admin task, it leads to compliance gaps, audit delays, and handover issues.
Lesson: Treat Document Control as a profession. Hire qualified experts, define their roles clearly, and give them the tools and authority to do the job right.
How Recusant Can Help: We support clients in defining Document Control roles, developing onboarding materials, and advocating for professional resourcing.
Here’s your toolkit:
Projects are complex. But with the right IM foundations, you can turn complexity into clarity, chaos into control, and handover into a moment of pride - not panic.
Recusant’s approach is built on learning from experience, embedding IM into governance, and empowering teams with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed - whether they’re starting from scratch or refining existing practices.
Let’s stop learning the hard way. Let’s start building smarter.
Recusant is based in Brisbane, with clients throughout Australia and globally.
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