Strategies for MIS Design

Abstract

Early in chapter 2 systems theory and the systems approach were introduced as a way of looking at an organisation. These concepts are important in the understanding of the analysis and design of a system. However the emphasis in this book is practical and the next two chapters will develop a methodology that can be used in the analysis and design of management information systems. In this chapter, the overview, the implementation of a management information system is placed in a broad strategic context. First we will examine the necessity of a systems planning team function, to oversee the design and implementation of MIS; then we examine different strategies which are in effect different ways of looking at parts or all of the organisation. Finally in this chapter we look at the problem of focusing on the organisation to produce a pithy and economic information base.