MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Food for thought

A “Management Information System” isn’t just software. Although precise definitions of what should be incorporated into MIS functionality will vary, at core a MIS technology system is a data analysis engine: It’s purpose is to take data from internal and / or external sources and convert it into a format which allows the manager to make better, more informed decisions about controlling, directing and planning in their part of the business. A management information system deals with the flow of that data information among people in line with a business’ strategy, and ultimately concerns itself with how to grow profitable business. Therefore it should support the business five year plan or its equivalent.
Management information systems need to produce appropriate information on three levels, operational, tactical and strategic. This implies that they should fit around the Organisation’s strategy and processes.

- To paraphrase Sir John Harvey Jones, in his TV Troubleshooter series, business’ ultimately fail simply because they don’t sell enough for the level of overhead they have. Developing profitable lifetime customers is at the core of a successful business.
This suggests that the organisations strategy, processes and the technology which underpins them need to work in close harmony with developing the Customer at the core. It sort of looks like this….

 

Guess what? Technology just underpins the other two, it isn’t the be all and end all. (remember, we speak as ex technology vendors). One leg of the triangle cannot deliver business success on its own without the other elements in place. WCA can help to provide an overall perspective which leads to tangible, sustainable business improvement.  
In reality many business spend time and money developing technology solutions without a clear idea of the processes and information the systems are to support and without ensuring “buy in” from the users of the new system.
Because it involves people information and procedures, for any technology implementation to be successful all three areas should be considered.

Effective Business development comes from appropriate activities and training of your people along with effective processes: These are then underpinned by the best technologies that allow your people and process to work more effectively to achieve your business goals.
The goal is that given an understanding of one or two of the variables the third is developed accordingly.