MIS and You
Chapter 1
Learning Objectives
 Know how MIS is defined.
 Understand the goals of this class.
 Recognize the utility of the five-component framework.
 Know the characteristics of information.
 Understand the relationship between information
technology (IT) and information systems (IS).
 Prepare to enjoy (yes!) this class.
What Is Management Information Systems
(MIS)?
 MIS is the development and use of information systems
that help businesses achieve their goals and objectives
 There are three key elements:
– Components of an information systems
– Development and use of information systems
– Achieving business goals and objectives
Components of an Information Systems
 An information system (IS) a group of components that
interact to produce information.
 It is commonly referred to as a Computer-Based
Information System.
Development and Use of Information Systems
 You need to take an active role in the information system’s
development.
 It does not matter if you are a programmer or database
designer, or the end-user; you must be active in:
– Specifying the system’s requirements
– Helping to manage the development project
– Using the Information System
Achieving Business Goals and Objectives
 Information systems exist to help people in business to
achieve goals and objectives of that business.
What Should You Learn from This Class?
 Sufficient knowledge to be an informed and effective
consumer of information technology products and services
 Able to ask pertinent questions
 Able to correctly interpret the responses to your questions
 Make wise decisions and to manage effectively
Summary of MIS Course Content
Using the Five-Component Framework
 The five-component framework can help guide your
learning and thinking about IS both now and in the future.
 Automation occurs when a business process is moved to a
computer to perform the business process
 The Most Important Component-YOU
Data vs. Information?
 Data consists of raw facts (i.e., a list of the exam scores for all the
students in the class)
 Information is defined as:
– Knowledge derived from data
– Data presented in a meaningful context
– Data processed by summing, ordering, averaging, grouping, comparing, or
other similar operations
– A difference that makes a difference
– Information is a collection of facts organized (or processed) in such a way
that they have additional value (i.e., a list of the class grades based on the
exam score)
 In a way, information is data that has been transformed into a more
useful form
 Turning data into information is a process performed to achieve a
defined outcome and requires knowledge
 Information is subjective; Information in one person’s context is just a
data point in another person’s context.
Characteristics of Good Information
 Accurate
 Timely
 Relevant
 Just barely sufficient
 Worth Its Cost
Why Study Information Systems?
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"It’s the lack of understanding of the part of the upper management
about how to oversee, budget, and come to grips with the real expense
and value of the enterprise information infrastructure. And it’s costing
companies millions of dollars in cost overruns and futile attempts to
improve productivity and roll out new products" - Data Communications
Make you an educated end-user
Contribute in the design of new systems (in your job)
Increase organizational success
Advance your career
Help you meet the challenges in a global market where management
decisions become more complex
Learn how data and information is used by the organization
(information systems literacy)
Enjoying This Class
 Apply what you are learning to situations and
organizations of interest to you.
 Think about the information systems around you.
 Every day you touch dozens of information systems.
Begin to ask yourself about the nature of those systems.
How do they impact you?
Summary
 Management information systems is the development and
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use of information systems that help business achieve their
goals and objectives.
An information system is a group of components that
interact to produce information.
The five components of an information system are:
hardware, software, data, procedures, and people.
Non-IS majors need to know about IS development
because, as future users, they will provide requirements for
new systems and facilitate the management of new
products.
The term information has four definitions.
Information is subjective, one person’s data is another
person’s information.
Video
 City of Cleveland, OH (IC3 & Digital Skills) (play )
Guides
 Opposing Forces Guide: Don't Need This Class
– What is the purpose of this class?
 Reflection Guide–Duller than Dirt
– How does this class pertain to your professional goals?
 Problem Solving Guide–Understanding Perspectives and
Points of View
– This text claims that although it is not possible to increase your IQ, it is
possible to improve the quality of your thinking? Do you agree?
 Security Guide–Passwords and Password Etiquette
– What makes a strong password?