The Evolution of MIS: Data to Wisdom

1. THE EVOLUTION OF THE MIS DISCIPLINE: FROM DATA, THROUGH INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE TO WISDOM Milt Jenkins University of Baltimore

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE • Objective: To provide a reasonable perspective of MIS field • Major changes occurring now • Note on perspective • Pathway to success • Challenges you face in following the pathway • Why you should do it

3. MAJOR CHANGES OCCURRING NOW • E-Commerce to M-Commerce to U-Commerce • Too much information, not enough knowledge, very little wisdom

4. WE ALL LIVE IN THE INFORMATION ++AGE, NOW!!

5. PATHWAY OF SUCCESS Data Information Knowledge Wisdom

6. DATA • Typically intended for processing, by computer systems • The aggregated raw material used to generate information and… • Management of data resources: Big gap between average and best-in-class Data Source Application Systems Industry Internal Info. Systems • Suppliers/Partners • Personal • Extranet • Information • Systems/Architecture • Organized/Classifies • Quality Control • Integrated • Disaggregated Extranet • Internal • Intranet • Applications Internet • Customers • Personal • Phone • Fax • E-mail • Internet All Queries Technology

7. INFORMATION • Typically intended for a human being • Message having surprise value for economic evaluation (changeable) Information Source Application Systems Internal Information Systems Internal Applications • Information • Systems/Architecture • Organized/Classifies • Quality Control • Integrated • Disaggregated Extranet Data Repository Internal Knowledge Systems External Applications

8. Typically intended for a human being • The sum of range of what has been perceived, learned or discovered, • therefore changeable/variable KNOWLEDGE Knowledge Sources Application System (AI) Knowledge Workers Organizations Plans/ Strategies • Knowledge Systems • temporal verification • and validation • organized / classified Decision Makers Internal Information Systems Management Industry Information Wisdom Systems Market Analysis

9. WISDOM • Typically generated by human beings and applied to the organization • Understanding of what is true, right and lasting providing good judgement Wisdom Sources Wisdom Benefits Organization Culture Good Organizational Structure/Strategy Education • Wisdom Systems • Temporal verification and validation • Organized/classified • in Procedures/Processes Wise use of Technology Information Systems Good Judgement/ Decisions Knowledge Systems Real Killer apps Experience Responsible subject matter expert Good Business Decisions Values

10. CHALLENGES IN TRAVELLING THIS PATHWAY • Everything is continuously changing • The pathway itself – the data, information and knowledge • The technology to collect the inputs and the inputs themselves • The technology to process the data, information and knowledge • The technology to present the data, information and knowledge • The business’ strategy, plans and objectives and how they are determined • The business’ structure, organization and personnel (reengineering) • The business’ partners, suppliers and customers (value chain) • The business’ environment and industry • The worlds’ operating paradigms

11. Navigating this pathway is not an easy process • Completion of the trip is never accomplished • It is key to creating a real learning organization • Communications within and outside the organization becomes more • complex, difficult and critical • Competition is growing (where you may not expect it) • Customer expectations and demands are growing continuously

12. WHY SHOULD YOU ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE? Because if you don’t you may not survive and you surely won’t prosper/succeed