Management Information System

A management information system (MIS) supports management by pooling information from various sources, compiling it, manipulating it and presenting it legibly. It can give managers necessary information to help them make informed decisions. The ultimate aim of a MIS is to increase a business’s efficiency, productivity, profitability and so value.

Information gathered by an MIS can cover technology, people, relationships, processes, purchases, sales and so on and can be used to monitor the performance of a company, project or programme.

Typical uses for a MIS include:

• Making decision-making more effective and productive.
• Collecting business information.
• Compiling reports.
• Identification of areas that need improvement.
• Allowing management of work schedules and allocation of resources.
• Fostering communication and collaboration.
• Allowing employees to spend more time on productive tasks.
• Giving managers feedback about their own performance.

Although today, MIS is generally a digital-based tool, MIS systems predate modern computer technology. The modern development of the MIS is closely linked to the development stages of the computer, spanning mainframe, PCs and client/servers to cloud computing. The use of add-on software can tailor the performance of an MIS to specific tasks.

Management information systems may be used by all levels of management. However, it usually falls to the chief information officer (CIO) and chief technical officer (CTO) (or equivalent) to decide which systems to implement.

Inputting information into an MIS need not just be reserved for higher management – non-management staff can also input data although they may not always have access to the reports that are subsequently compiled.

Common types of management information systems can include:

• Executive information systems – facilitating and supporting senior decision making.
• Decision support system – serving senior executives decision-making needs.
• Marketing information systems – supporting marketing decision-making.
• Human resource management systems – facilitating the management of people.
• Transaction processing systems. – collecting, processing and storing daily transactions.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BIM.
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• Code of practice for programme management.
• Construction inventory management.
• Guide to managing construction projects.
• Logistics management in construction.
• Management structure for construction clients.
• Managing the procurement process.
• Performance management plan.
• Practice management.
• Relationship management.
• Safety management.
• Total quality management in construction.
• Value management.