Useful Information
Useful information can be see as any information communicated that is important to or relates to
a specific topic. Information is only deemed useful if it meets the required need.
Characteristics of useful information:
Timeliness: to simplify prompt decision making, the MIS must be able to provide and distribute
current information to appropriate users. The system should be able to quickly collect, edit data,
summarize results and be able to adjust and correct errors promptly.
Accuracy: a sound automated and manual internal control system must exist throughout all
information system processing activities.
Consistency: because data collection and reporting processes will change overtime, to be
reliable the data should be processed and complied to verify it authenticity.
Completeness: MIS plays an important role in decision making, that decision makers need
complete and pertinent information in a summarized report. Reports should be designed to
eliminate clutter and voluminous details thereby avoiding ‘information overload’.
Relevance: information provided to managers must be relevant (must deal with the matter at
hand). MIS must be appropriate to support the management level using it
Delivery of Information:
The right quality and quantity of information must be delivered to allow managers to perform
their duties effectively and in a timely manner.
The process of establishing an effective MIS
Planning: in this process the operations and resources are assisted, to ascertain where the
resources are best useful.
Designing: the analyzing of the correct resources and equipment for the work, the direction as
to how the resources are going to be used.
Implementation: this is where the plan and the design are put into motion. This is where the
true test begins.
Transaction-Processing System:
A system that handles a business’s routine and recurring information transaction. E.g. recorded
changes to individual credit accounts, customer monthly spending bills, credit payments …….
Intranet
A communication network similar to the internet but operating within the boundaries of a single
organization. This system enables every business unit within an organization to compile
information about itself and to make it available to employees in the business.
Expert System
An information system created to duplicate and imitate the thought processes of a human expert.
It a system implemented to identify all the ‘if then ’contingencies that pertain to a given
situation.
MARKING SCHEME FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENT
MARKS MARKS AWARDED
RELEVANT CONTENT 15
GROUP COHERENCE 3
TEACHING AIDS 5
LECTURE NOTES 5