[Authors Note: There's a very interesting discussion brewing about what artifacts are good and what artifacts are bad. Check it out.]
We know relatively little about the humans that were roaming the earth thousands of years ago. But because we have the artifacts they left behind--pots, arrowheads, and so forth--we have a glimpse give us a glimpse into their daily lives and who they were.
Artifacts (documents, Powerpoint presentations, spreadsheets, etc.) also allow a glimpse into the processes that are happening in your IT organization. Learning how to encourage the creation of artifacts is an essential part of managing an IT department.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5842424.html