MIS

Question 1

What is the difference between MIS and ordinary Database ?

Answer 1

1. MIS is based on far more information than a standard database- information gathered internally and externally.
2. MIS is used to make critical management decisions.

Question 2

What are STRATEGIC information?

Answer 2

Used when senior managers need to make long-term planning decisions. Example - Head teacher looks at number of pupils coming into school in the next five years in order to plan staffing requirements and building development. Budget decisions using information from local authorities.

Question 3

What are TACTICAL information?

Answer 3

Middle managers require tactical information. Example - head of year use data about pupils ability for setting groups and creating timetables.

Question 4

What are OPERATIONAL information?

Answer 4

Operations managers use the information for day to day running of the business. Example- teachers registration, reports or test marks, recording bad behaviour of pupils.

Question 5

Factors that make MIS good?

Answer 5

1. Accuracy of data - accuracy of information produced are usually dependent on the accuracy of the data input.
2. Ability to allow managers to set up their own queries flexibly.
3. Presents data in an appropriate form for example a graph, to make it easy to understand.
4. Can be used by managers who have differing experience and skills in the use of ICT.
5. Ability to be transferred to other packages for further processing/ analysis such as spreadsheet package.

Question 6

Factors that make MIS poor?

Answer 6

1. Inadequate consultation with managers during the analysis of the system to find out what their requirements from the system are.
2. Lack of training for managers means many managers do not use the systems as they should.
3. Inappropriate hardware or software being used. For example, the network may run slowly when processing the information needed when producing MIS reports,
4. Inadequate initial analysis. The system does not do exactly what it should.

Question 7

Definition of MIS (Management Information System)?

Answer 7

Organised collection of people, procedures and resources designed to support the decisions of managers. Three main types of decisions are STRATEGIC, TACTICAL & OPERATIONAL. Examples include a head teacher in a school analysing those students who are falling behind in their work as evidenced by test results and whose attendance is poor so that interviews with parents can be arranged.