Management Information Systems Flashcards
What are 7 factors which make a good MIS?
1) accuracy of the data
2) flexibility of data
3) provide data in an appropriate form
4) accessible to a wide range of users and supports a wide range of skills and knowledge
5) allows individual project planning
6) avoids information overload
7) allows speedy decisions for urgent situations
What is A management information system?
A system that converts data from internal and external sources into information and resources designed to support the decisions of managers of a company
Accuracy of the data
The data going into the management information system must be accurate so that accurate information and reports can be produced.
Flexibility of data analysis
Different managers have different requirements and the MIS must be able to cope with this
Provide data in an appropriate form
Managers will need the information presented according to their requirements. Some will want the information presented in a table, graph or chart.
Accessible to a wide range of users
Managers have a wide range of skills and knowledge of ict systems so MIS should make it easy for all managers to extract the information they need.
Allows individual project planning
Managers can use the information from an MIS to help the managers job of planning for the future. Eg help plan the development of opening new stores.
Avoids information overload
MIS would not produce loads of information which wastes time and makes essential information harder to find
Factors that lead to a poor MIS (7)
1) complexity of the system
2) inadequate initial analysis
3) lack of management involvement in initial design
4) inappropriate hardware and software
5) lack of management knowledge about computer systems and their capabilities
6) poor communication between professionals
7) lack of professional standards
Complexity of a system
MIS need to be simple to use and not too complex so that all managers are capable of using them in their day to day work
Inadequate initial analysis
Not analysed properly beforehand and therefore the analysis will be based on incomplete information and will never produce a flexible and fully functional MIS.
Lack if management involvement in the initial design
The management needs to be involved in the design as the people designing has a good ict knowledge but poor business knowledge and together they can produce and effective MIS.
Appropriate hardware and software
The speed of the file server needs to be fast enough to keep up with the MIS to produce information when managers need it
Lack of management knowledge about ict systems and their capabilities
Management rely on the ict specialists who they assume has the latest knowledge but Ict specialists cannot be experts in all parts of business.
Poor communication between professionals
Managers and ict professionals should work together to product a management system that meets the demands of the managers that are using the system. They need to communicate to do this.
