An outline of the main features of information management (1.1) and types and nature of organisational information systems

Unit 4.32 Managing Information and Knowledge

Scenario

You are one of the recently recruited interns at an IT company. The company mainly develops information and knowledge management systems for corporate clients. For most major development projects, this requires the company to first carry out a feasibility study and submit the feasibility report to a potential client.

Activity 1

The company is presently working on a feasibility study for developing an information and knowledge management system for a retail client with a number of outlets in the country. The Project Manager is interested in recruiting one of the interns to join the feasibility study. As part of the selection process, she wants to meet each intern to check their basic understanding about information and knowledge management systems for organisations. She has asked each intern to submit a power point presentation with detailed notes covering the following topics:

• an outline of the main features of information management (1.1) and types and nature of organisational information systems (2.1)
• an explanation of the role and importance of knowledge for organisations (3.1) and the relationship between data, information and knowledge (1.2)
• an analysis of the concept of knowledge management (1.3) and the benefits of information and knowledge management to organisations (1.4)

Assessment criteria (AC), 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 3.1

Activity 2

Following a successful meeting with the Project Manager, you are asked to join the feasibility study. The manager now asks you to  collect information about a named retailer in the UK, which can be used for comparative purposes. You should use primary or secondary sources of information. The purpose of this activity is to understand the role of information and communication technology (ICT) currently in place at this organisation. 

You are required to analyse the information collected and present your findings in a short report covering the following:

• an explanation of how ICT currently in place at the organisation affects organisational communication (2.2)
• an evaluation of how ICT in place at the organisation is being used to disseminate knowledge throughout the organisation (2.3)

Assessment criteria, 2.2, 2.3

Activity 3

The manager is happy with your performance so far. She has now asked you to  collect information about other organisations in addition to the one already under study such that you are able to enhance your understanding about the links between knowledge management strategy and competitive advantage. She believes this activity will enhance  your contribution to the ongoing feasibility study for the retail client.

A focus on organisational learning, knowledge management strategies and processes at the selected organisations is the key for this activity. You are required to produce a file of information which:

• explains how knowledge management strategies and processes at the given organisations support and facilitate the organisational learning (3.3)
• justifies the need for maintaining a learning culture in a changing environment within the context of selected examples (3.2)
• evaluates the relationship between the organisational learning and competitive advantage (3.4)

Assessment criteria, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4