Management Information Systems and Governance - Essay Example

Reflective Learning Task Information policy and governance Information policy and governance was an interesting course that gave me understanding of various concepts that are observed in the running of the organizations. Governance in the IT sector raises various issues that have to be understood step by step in order to have a clear picture of how management information system operate. The knowledge acquired in information system, in business, helped me to understand the concepts of the course that were a continuous of what I had previously learnt. Information that flows through the organization has to be managed to ensure that there is a synchronized flow that does not bring confusion in the systems of the organization. Information has to be kept well so that it can be retrieved with ease when it needed for use within the organization. The background knowledge that I had in information system gave me a spring board that opened the way for deeper understanding of concepts learnt within the organization. I was able to learn the means through which policy is framed and subsequently implemented in modern day’s organization. Professionals of information systems have to come up with policies that will assist in the governance of information. The policies that are implemented have to reflect the purposes, nature, and needs of the organization while at the same time ensuring that the security of the organization concerning information is up-to-date. Management of information system incorporates all the users of the information and ensures ease accessibility to the information without overlooking the needs of any individual. All the stakeholders have to be in agreement with the manner in which information is being managed within the organization. Exploring various information systems of different organization provided an insight into how organizations take seriously information system management as a basic function of the organization operations. Sharing of information within the organization departments enhances communication. Professionals of management information systems and governance are very essential in ensuring free flow of information within the organization without jeopardizing the various security checks that have been put in place. Information management is one of the vital practices of the organization that has to be observed keenly in order for the organization to realize competitive advantage and value creation (Bowyer, 2000). Departments within organization have to work together to ensure that the organization benefits from the information generated within the organization and information gathered through market intelligence on trends in the market and the activities of competitors. Information and communication technologies have occasioned a great impact on social and economic development for the last twenty years. It is the goal of every organization to be in position to disseminate and generate information in order to ensure there is connectivity or synergetic relationship in various departments of the organization. Information is a very important resource to the organization and competitive advantage can be realized on how well the organization uses information in its possession. I came to learn the importance of information to organizations and how well organizations can use information to achieve organizational objectives. Knowledge-based economy relies on accurate generation and dissemination of information. Governance explains how the organization uses information in its possession for accountability purposes and meeting its business objectives. Information is important in assisting companies build a formidable future by reflecting on the past from the information stored in databases. Information concerning competitors is very essential since it makes the company to understand what strategies can be used in making sure it remains ahead of its competitors. Coordination failure within the organization is sometime caused by lack of effective flow of information (Bynum & Rogerson, 2004). Tools and equipment for information dissemination have to be up to date with the prevailing technology in order to maintain a savvy information system. Information system management has to undergo upgrading from time to time in order to ensure that it is in line with the existing processes and lines of production. Records within the organization have to be stored a good way. Stakeholders including the government have a right to access some of the information concerning the performance of the company (Bowyer, 2000). The government would want to know how much tax the company needs to pay in regard to the profits it has made during a particular fiscal year. Consequently information policy and governance was a relevant course that made me understand the application of information processes within the company’s premises and outside. The knowledge gathered in this course will help me in my quest of becoming an efficient and knowledgeable manager in future. This knowledge is important in running organizations and can help in making organization realize ways of generating information for its use. I found the application of information and how it can be used within the organization to be interesting. The synergetic correlation that is created due to sharing of information was very exciting to me. I enjoyed both the class discussion and group discussions. I used the group discussions to gauge my understanding of the course and confidence through asking questions and trying to answer as many questions as possible. I realized that the role that information management system plays in the various organizations cannot be overlooked. The course was an eye-opener and I developed my interpersonal skills through working in groups and engaging in creative and constructive discussions. Accurate and full information has to be maintained within the organization’s databases. I found out that development of information policies is some of the important practices that companies carry out. Every company has polices that govern dissemination of information within its system. Policies for management of information are very important to the company in an effort to realize perfection in generation of information. Real examples of implementation of information policies assisted me in getting the clear picture of the meaning of policy development in information and governance (Bynum & Rogerson, 2004). Enforcement of the implemented policies remains to be a big challenge for many organizations in the world. Discovering new meanings ton concepts that seemed obvious was very interesting to me. Personal View There will a slight difference if I am given the opportunity to approach the topic. I will explore other related disciplines that surround information policy and governance, and seek to understand how they relate to course. I will also want to visit a big company and interview the relevant people on how they develop information policies and disseminate information. The course reading materials will also be expanded to include the latest articles and books that have been published on the topic. Policy development has to incorporate many other aspects that organizations that engage coordination. Every stakeholder has to be satisfied in the manner in which information is being handled within the organization. Moreover, I would invite professional from real organization to explain the class how they go about developing information policies and how they ensure what is implemented is enforced. It would be interesting to get the real perspective from the right people who are in the field. The professional will motivate the students and explain the real details that are involved in the management of information and development of information policies. I will incorporate more learning activities in order to improve the topic and engage the students in more class discussions. Group assignments will be encouraged as compared to individual assignments. I will also create a schedule where students will be given an opportunity to express their views on the topic. I would prepare brief notes and present them to students and encourage them to read widely on the topic. The approach can be represented in another way if there are enough resources within the organization to support class activities and to buy learning materials. Generally the approach which was used in the course was fairly good and a lot of knowledge was grasped by every student. This course has been very important in my life and it would help me to be a better person in future. When I became a manager, I will know how to treat the information professionals in the right way in order to avoid conflicts. The course will help me a lot as I embark on different challenges in life in an effort to follow my career path to the very top. I am grateful to the course instructor for making me know a lot and giving me an opportunity to learn from my fellow students. It was an interesting time and I looking forward to learning concerning the course. Bibliography Bowyer, K. W 2000, (ed) Ethics and compu(ng: living responsibly in a computerized world. Edited by Kevin W. Bowyer IEEE Press, New York Bynum, T. W. & Rogerson, S 2004, (eds) Computer ethics and professional responsibility. Blackwell, Malden MA Read More