Module Identifier RD26710  
Module Title MANAGING BUSINESS INFORMATION  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Mr Penri James  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   1 x 2 hour lecture per week  
  Practical   4 x 4 hour practicals during semester  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Business information flow and quality assignment Outcomes assessed: 2, 425%
Semester Assessment Management Information System assignment Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 475%
Supplementary Assessment Information systems assignment. Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

Outcome 1
Establish the scope and purpose of a Management Information System.
Performance criteria:
a. Distinction between data and information is established.
b. Information needs and flows in an organisation are identified.
c. Purpose of MIS is established.
Ranges:
Organisation:- Large, Medium, Small.
Information need:- Strategic, Tactical, Operational.
Function:- Marketing, Finance, Administration, Production, Technical, Personnel, Research, Design.
Context:- Past, Present, Future.

Outcome 2
Use Information Technology to store, retreive and report management information.
Performance criteria:
a. An appropriate medium to store information is selected.
b. Reliable information is retreived.
c. Management information is processed and reported.
Ranges:
Software:- Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database.
Data Type:- Textual, Numerical, Spatial, Time.
Data Characteristics:- Accuracy, Relevance, Value
Presentation:- Tables, Charts, Reports.

Outcome 3
Review systems for monitoring and providing management information.
Performance criteria:
a. Components of an information system are reviewed.
b. Value of information is established.
c. Risk of data loss is assessed.
Ranges:
Organisation:- Large, Medium, Small.
Information Need:- Strategic, Tactical, Operational.
Function:- Marketing, Finance, Administration, Production, Technical, Personnel, Research, Design.
System:- Decision Support, Executive Information, Expert Systems.
Risk:- Data Volume, Hardware, Software, Security

Outcome 4
Evaluate information generated by a management information system.
Performance criteria:
a. Audience information need is established.
b. Appropriate statistical test is performed and interpreted.
c. Appropriate presentation format is evaluated.
Ranges:
Comparative Analysis:- Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Gross Margin,.
Ratio Analysis:- Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet
Context:- Past Performance, Current Activity, Forecasting Performance.
Data:- Financial, Physical
Statistical:- Average, Frequency Analysis, Measures of Dispersion, Probability Distributions, Sampling Theory, Correlation.
Presentation:- Tables, Charts, Reports
   

Brief description

A business requires accurate and relevant information from both internal and external sources in order to operate profitably. Proper collection of data creates an environment where informed decisions can be taken to the benefit of the business concerned. This module will look at data collection concepts and methods and how they can be applied to create information useful to a business.

Reading Lists

Books
Carlburg, C Business analysis with Excel Que
Robson, A J Designing and building business models using Microsoft Excel McGraw-Hill
Warren, M F Financial management for farmers and rural managers Blackwell Science
Whigham, D Quantitative business methods using Excel Oxford University Press
Wilson, D A Managing information The Institute of Management

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5