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The Characteristics of Information Management System

Three Characteristics of Information Management System A system is a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole. A system has a purpose to perform a set of functions to achieve well-defined goals. A system which is composed of interacting and interdependent pieces has a specific structure which is defined by its components and processes - the interrelationship between components. Managing information and the information position of an organization is what ought to be called Information Management. Information Management is a system with interdependent processes, technologies, and a set of interdisciplinary practices for moving the business to a dynamic, iterative, integral and interactive digital flow.

Is IT a System A system is the part of the world which has to be of interest to us on the basis of a certain purpose. Only then you think about the other properties (interaction of elements, environment, etc.). A subsystem correctly defined is, in any case, a system. A model is something different though and has to do with our knowledge about a system and its functioning. Is IT (Information & Technology) a system, though?

Dots Connection: Information System (IS) vs. Information Technology (IT) An information system is an abstract view of an activity system focusing on the gathering, processing, distribution, and use of information. It provides the information needed for the decisions that are part of the activity system. The Information Technology system supports the information system. It encapsulates hardware, software, data and communication technologies. It provides data to be used by people as information.

CIOs as Chief Improvement Officer: What are the signals of Dysfunctional IT Systems Today’s organizations are far from perfect, there are ineffectiveness, dysfunction, overlapping, complication, silo, gaps, infighting, and inefficiencies, etc., all over the place. IT is in a unique position to oversee the underlying processes, build capabilities, and orchestrate the digital transformation, CIOs as IT leaders and Chief Improvement Officer: Can you identify the signals of dysfunctional IT systems - not just through the symptoms on the surface, but digging into the root causes, and fix them smoothly to improve the business agility and maturity?

How Important an Information System can be in Digital Business Success? In the industrial era, the majority of IT organizations are supporting functions to keep the business light on; the cost center to maintain legacy applications and infrastructure, and the gatekeeper to control the status quo. Nowadays IT and its value implication to the business have changed drastically; information becomes the lifeblood of digital business, and digital technology is lightweight but more powerful than ever. The question is –How important an information system can be in today, can you separate technology from an information system in order to achieve the intended results? And how to make Information Management as 'powerful' and 'worthy' to an organization as possible?

The “Future of CIO” Blog has reached 3 million page views with about #6000th blog posting in 59+ different categories of leadership, management, strategy, digitalization, change/talent, etc. The content richness is not for its own sake, but to convey the vision and share the wisdom. Blogging is not about writing, but about thinking and innovating new ideas; it’s not just about WHAT to say, but about WHY to say, and HOW to say it. It reflects the color and shade of your thought patterns, and it indicates the peaks and curves of your thinking waves. Unlike pure entertainment, quality and professional content takes time for digesting, contemplation and engaging, and therefore, it takes time to attract the "hungry minds" and the "deep souls." It’s the journey to amplify diverse voices and deepen digital footprints, and it's the way to harness your innovative spirit.

Break down silos to streamline information flow: Information does not live alone but permeates everywhere in the businesses. Information Management has to break down silos, to keep information flow and apply an integrated and holistic information life cycle management solution to conquer challenges and generate business value rather than try to “control” it. A holistic information management approach involves the logical steps for information collection, storing, processing, analyzing, and refining, to ensure that quality information can flow to the right people and allow them to make effective decisions at the right time consistently, to improve business fluidity and bring better business results. Nowadays, information is the most time intensive piece of business innovation. Information brings about business ideas; business ideas generate lots of information. Thus, information flow can further streamline idea flow, catalyze innovation, and improve the organizational unique competency.

Manage a holistic information life cycle: Data is raw content, without context. Data starts to be 'information' when adding some business context or having some connections to other information items. Information is one of the most invaluable assets of the business today. Compared to the physical asset, Information Management should be managed holistically in order to truly capture its business value and improve business responsiveness and maturity. In practice, the organizational data environment is often fraught with inconsistency, redundancy, multiple, sometimes overlapping data or knowledge platforms, all of which make information management as one of the most difficult, but critical management disciplines. Managing a holistic information life cycle is about processing data (organizing, retrieving, acquiring, securing, maintaining, updating, distributing, etc.), ensuring transparency and visibility, enabling trust and reliability, and climbing information management pyramid (Data-Information- Knowledge-Insight-Wisdom) steadfastly. The ultimate goal of holistic information management is to guide the company forward by capturing business insight, identifying and assessing risks and adjusting the business speed.


Focus on information-based holistic problem-solving: Information Management is the means to an end, the end is all about problem-solving scientifically. As businesses today transform themselves into the digital mode which is based on information, Information/Knowledge Management is the management with knowledge as a focus, involves the use of technologies, information, and processes with the aim of solving business problems, especially at the strategic level. It will be those companies that proactively invest in information Management solutions today will be able to competitively leverage their own information to improve decision effectiveness and business adaptability. In fact, the ability to explore intangible information asset becomes far more decisive to build competitive business advantage for the long term. Sometimes, if there's a lack of quality information and holistic understanding, the business intends to solve symptoms but cause more problems later on or perhaps on the other side the company. Thus, it’s critical to solve problems holistically based on coherent information, technical business capabilities, and skillful problem-solvers with holistic thinking mindset.

The digital paradigm means hyperconnectivity, interdependence, integration, and holism. Those companies that can deliver holistic information Management solutions today will be able to leverage their own information going forward competitively and solving problems systematically. They can build a high intelligent organization and run at a premium speed to thrive in the hypercompetitive digital era.

Take a Journey of a Thousand Steps for Information Management IT is only increasing in importance and relevance with each passing day. IT shifts from “T” technology focused to “I” driven - information, intelligence, innovation, and improvement. Information Management is the overall process of aligning the use of information through the management, assurance, and exploitation, guide the business in the right direction and deliver services and solutions. It is a thorny journey with a thousand steps. IT leaders should set principles to ensure information is managed effectively and guide the business in the right direction and deliver value-added services/solutions effortlessly.

How to Unleash the Full Potential of Information Forward-thinking IT organizations are shifting from “T"-Technology-driven to “I” information oriented. The most powerful and differentiating tool in all of today's businesses is INFORMATION and that is provided by IT systems. The aim of modern Information Management has often been described as getting the right information to the right person, in the right format and medium, at the right time, in order to make the right decisions. The value of information is qualitative, measurable, and defined uniquely by an organization. If done well, information can unleash the business’s full potential and maximize its multi-dimensional values. On the flip side, information is also something that can hinder the achievement of strategic objectives, having it unavailable or compromised. Therefore, Information Management is one of the most important management disciples and best practices in the digital organization.

The “Future of CIO” Blog has reached 3 million page views with about #5900th blog posting in 59+ different categories of leadership, management, strategy, digitalization, change/talent, etc. The content richness is not for its own sake, but to convey the vision and share the wisdom. Blogging is not about writing, but about thinking and innovating new ideas; it’s not just about WHAT to say, but about WHY to say, and HOW to say it. It reflects the color and shade of your thought patterns, and it indicates the peaks and curves of your thinking waves. Unlike pure entertainment, quality and professional content takes time for digesting, contemplation and engaging, and therefore, it takes time to attract the "hungry minds" and the "deep souls." It’s the journey to amplify diverse voices and deepen digital footprints, and it's the way to harness your innovative spirit.