1. Information Management LIS 387.8 2/1/99 Martha Richardson

2. IM Approaches Unstructured information Intellectual capital or knowledge Structured information on paper Structured information in computers

3. Unstructured Information Printed sources  Computerized Ad hoc Library skills Passive Value-added Centralized vs. non-centralized

4. Intellectual Capital Hire skills Offer training Groupware Discussion lists Difficult to keep current Inherently human

5. Structured Information on Paper Dominated by records management –Early document registries –Full life-cycle management Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 Information resource management

6. Structured information on paper Information resource management –Measure and manage cost –Establish efficient storage and retrieval mechanisms –Increase organizational awareness of value and use –Establish policy and accountability –Integrate management of multiple information types

7. Structured information on paper Failure of information resource management –IRM objectives vs. real-world environments –Technology management Contribution of information resource management –information has economic value –treat information as valuable resource

8. Structured information on paper Information has value only if it is used Volume and complexity overwhelming –paper –computer tapes –microfiche –diskettes; CD-ROMs –audiotapes –videotapes

9. Structured information in computers Present most popular approach Computerization can: –Reduce paper –Direct information use –Distribute knowledge –Reduce personnel Not!

10. Structured information in computers Managed computer-based data Failed to recognize “information” as valuable Reduced redundancy Separated data from applications Built information architectures Developed information engineering methodology

11. Structured information in computers Information Engineering –creates barriers to communications –technical orientation difficult for users –projects frequently uncompleted –if completed, never implemented –takes too long to model enterprise

12. Information = Technology? Organizational structures –Chief information officer and Information Center Librarians –Focus on computer-based resources IT press –InformationWeek and InfoWorld

13. Information Characteristics Humans prefer information that: –involves sequence and causality –involves humor –is visually rich –relevant to work or life

14. Executive information Prefer verbal communication –2/3 from human sources most face-to-face rest by telephone –1/3 structured documents from external environment Almost none get information from computers

15. Information ecology attributes Integration of diverse types of information Recognition of evolutionary change Emphasis on observation and description Focus on people and information behavior

16. Integration of diverse types of information Computers capture, access, and manipulate –structured & unstructured –text, video, & audio Must plan systems to incorporate diverse information sources, formats, and perspectives

17. Recognition of evolutionary change Information systems must be flexible Change will occur –rules, regulations, laws Reduce development time –Rapid application development –Lean development

18. Emphasis on observation and description Describe existing environment –who has what information –how is information supported –how is information used –what is organization’s purpose Understand existing processes –what happens today –how can that be used for predicting tomorrow

19. Focus on people and information behavior Production and distribution of information received primary focus Use by recipients unknown Need to develop positive information cultures Learn how workers seek, share, structure, and make sense of information

20. Model of information ecology External environment Organizational environment Informational environment

21. Information Strategy Information Politics Information Behavior and Culture Information Staff Information Processes Information Architecture

22. Informational environment Information Strategy –Develop high-level set of basic principles for information use Information Politics –Recognize political structure of organization Information Behavior and Culture –Encourage positive information sharing behaviors

23. Informational environment Information Staff –Recognize and encourage human skills to interpret and analyze information Information Processes –Identify preferences for acquiring, understanding, and using information Information Architecture –Map or locate information within the organization

24. Organizational environment Business situation Technology investment Physical arrangement

25. Organizational environment Business situation –Business strategy –Business processes –Organization culture –Human resources

26. Organizational environment Technology investment –Basic infrastructure in place –Select appropriate applications –Focus on information initiatives

27. Organizational environment Physical arrangement –Physical proximity increases information sharing –Physical appearence of information effects transmission

28. External environment Business markets Technology markets Information markets

29. External environment Business markets Changes in business conditions effecting information –customers, suppliers, competitors, business partners, regulators

30. External environment Technology markets –Availability of products at a given time –Determination of best value

31. External environment Information Markets –Buy –Generate –Sell

32. Ecology “Web” Change in one environment effects the others Aligning technology with business strategies not enough Anticipating all events not possible

33. Information Strategy Focus on information topics with greatest payoff Develop better tools for understanding information Focus on “big picture” Place information within business planning framework

34. IM Processes Formulate the problem Identify information needs Locate or capture appropriate information Analyze and interpret Manipulate and package Distribute Store and dispose Use

35. Adding value Value is added to information when it is –Credible –Offers guidance –Is scarce –Accessible –Has weight

36. Information audit Used to clarify location of information Interviewed creators and users of information Focused on how to improve information processes