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Relevant
The information obtained and used should be needed for decision-making. it doesn't matter how interesting it is. Businesses are often criticised for producing too much information simply because their information systems can "do it". A good way of ensuring relevance is to closely define the objectives of any information reports. Another way to improve relevance is to produce information that focuses on "exceptions" - e.g. problems, high or low values, where limits have been exceeded.
Up-to-date
Information needs to be timely if it is to be actioned. For example, the manager of a large retail business needs daily information on how stores are performing, which products are selling well (or not) so that immediate action can be taken. To improve the speed with which information is produced, businesses usually need to look at upgrading or replacing their information systems.
Accurate
As far as possible, information should be free from errors (e.g. the figures add up; data is allocated to the correct categories). The users of information should be informed whenever assumptions or estimates have been used. Accruate information is usually a function of accurate data collection. If information needs to be extremely accurate, then more time needs to be allocated for it to be checked. However, businesses need to guard against trying to produce "perfect" information - it is often more important for the information to be up-to-date than perfect.
Completeness
Information should be complete for the purpose. example ; if you want to travel from Colombo to London and when there are few travel agencies that you can take services to travel from CColombo to London. When you are collecting information of the available flying alternatives , if you can collect only the different travel agency you are unable to take a decision. When you want to take a decision you should have information of the available flight times, charges, traveling path, etc. When information not complete they are unusable. Hence the completeness is an essential quality of good information
Meet the needs of the User
Users of information have different needs. The managing director doesn't have time to trawl through thick printouts of each week's production or sales listings - he or she wants a summary of the key facts. The quality control supervisor will want detailed information about quality testing results rather than a brief one-line summary of how things are going. It is a good idea to encourage users to help develop the style and format of information reporting that they require.
Easy to use and understand
Information should be clearly presented (e.g. use summaries, charts) and not too long. It also needs to be communicated using an appropriate medium (e.g. email, printed report, presentation. Businesses should also consider developing "templates" which are used consistently throughout the organisation - so that users get used to seeing information in a similar style.
Worth the cost
Often forgotten. Information costs money. Data is costly to collect, analyse and report. Information takes time to read and assimilate. All users should question whether the information they recieve/have requested is worthwhile
Reliable
Information should come from authoritative sources. It is good practice to quote the source used - whether it be internal or external sources. If estimates or assumptions have been applied, these should be clearly stated and explained.
there are 4 characteristics of relevant information:
1) Relevance - how pertinent these particular facts are to situation at hand
2) Data Quality - degree to which data represent the true situation
3) Timeliness - data current enough to still be relevant
4) Completeness - having the right amount of information
Information is processed data that conveys meaning and useful ideas to people. It is used for making decision
Examples:
v Employee payroll report
v Student grade sheet
v Telephone bill statement.
This information has the following types of qualities of valuable information such as Accuracy, Verifiable, Timely, Organised, Meaningful, Cost effective.
Accuracy
v Error free
v Inaccurate information can lead to incorrect decisions
Verifiable
v User can conform and verify the information
v Can be proven as correct or incorrect
Timely
v Has an age suited to its use
Organised
v Information is arranged to suit the needs and requirements of the users
Meaningful
v Relevant to the user who receives or uses it
v Unnecessary information must be eliminated
Cost effective
v The cost to produce the information should be less than the actual cost of the information
The objective of Information systems are;
· Improve productivity
· Monitor organisational performance
· Planning and decision making
· Competitive advantage
Yuganthi Jayasinghe
The three attributes of good informaiton are: availablility; accuracy and applicability
Qualities of Good Report is:
Brief,
Clear,
Concise,
Precise,
Accurate,
Understandable.