Two Examples of Partly Failing Information Systems

Abstract

During the months preceding the August 1986 NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Failure Analysis of Information Systems, two specific events illustrated the weaknesses of the presently available information systems when one is really looking for information and not for data. The first example concerns the use — by a non expert — and the failure of computer-based on-line information retrieval systems. The second one relates to the absence of reliable information systems to inform in due time the authorities and the general public with respect to major socioeconomic issues such as the Chernobyl accident and its present and future impact. In both cases, it appears that the main reason for failure resides in the fact that we do actually collect, store, and manipulate billions of data without much attention for:

• • The fact that information is the result of a complex process of deterministic and heuristic reasoning, using exact as well as fuzzy data from interrelated knowledge fields.

• • The skills required to access the system and. if successful, to use the data.

• • The knowledge and expertise already available in the brains of the real experts in the specific fields of science, technology and management.