1、 外文翻译 原文 INFORMATION SYSTEMS:Some Basic Considerations. Material Source: Management Review. Author: George Soule Managers have always used information to aid them in their decision making. But it is only recently-with tire advent of EDP-that there has been so much talk about the information problem.
2、 The computer has made it possable to process much more data than ever before, yet paradoxically the man ager may be starved for infoma tion. To discuss the information problem and its solution meaningfully, we must define what we mean by information. Information is data that has been processed in s
3、ome way directly by a person or indirectly by him through the camputer. Unprocessed facts and figures are data, not infarmation. Aspects of the problem The information problem results frorn the blizzard of data generated by todays information explosion that threatens to bury the decision maker, aval
4、anche of figures and reports he cannot possibly digest fast enough to do hirn any good. the problem has many aspects: Alt hough the excutive is surrounded by data, he often lacks the infornnation he needs. The manager is unable to re-trieve relevant information quickly, and at random and to hold bac
5、k irrelevant information. The manager cannnot retrieve information within the response time permitted him by either his customer or his competition. To get information for decision making, the manager must misuse another must important and costly commodity he has at his disposal-other managers. Once
6、 the manager has in fact obtained the desired information at an outrageous an probably disproportionatc cost to its value, be immediately loses it again, because the only accessible repository for the information is the individual who dug it up for him and this individual may not always he available
7、 or else has replaced the information stored in his limited memory with other information. In short, an information problem exists when an organization is unable to furnish the executive with up-to-date, pertinent information he requires to plan, control, and manage using cost effective re-sources.
8、Management information systerns attempt to solve the information problem by providing relevant information in the right form to the right person at the right time. Dr.A.F.Goodman, a retrieval expert, pictures a good information system as “an accessible and rapid conveyor belt for appropriate high-qu
9、ality information from its generator to its user. “ An information system is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The systems docunnents, figures, and pictures should be used as a means to manipulate, to index, and to display information. such a system gives what is asked of it;it does not ma
10、ke judgments regarding the use or quality of its cantents. This determination is the users job. Information Needs When discussing information systems, it is necessary to distinguish the real information needs from socalled aspiration needs. The real needs are those being filled now, perhaps inadequa
11、tely, but nevertheless filled Ihcse are the needs that must be satisfied on a first priority by any contemplated information system. Aspiration needs are those that will develop tomorrow. Satisfying todays information system needs must be accomplished with tomorrows needs very much in mind. If this
12、is not done when the information system is designed, the system is obsolete even before it begins to operate. A company should be concerned with basic systems before going on to something more sophisticated. However, it must make certain that the shape of the basic huilding blocks that are going to
13、be used for the network have been designed to be cozxapatible with the desired long-range results. When evaluating information systems, you must take into account information levels. Information needs can he categorized into three major levels: The operational level should be considered for the init
14、ial system because it takes care of day-to-day needs and is most useful in assessing status at the lowest organizational level. The tactical information level is perhaps the most useful for main line activities, such as major operaring arganizations. Falling into this castegory would be information
15、supporting engineering, manufacturing, procurcment, quality control, and so on. The strategic infotmation level plays its important role in planning activities. These. activities deal with the most, difficult problems that promise the biggest payoff, information systems that support any simulation a
16、ctivities would be found under this category because in the long run the strategic level will influence the other levels. The information system should provide the required interaction between user and information and can be described as a vehicle of confrontation. To provide the desired interaction
17、y it must provide both inward as well as outward extension of information awareness. User Groups An information system cannot be successful unless it is designed around the direct needs and with full involvement and participation of the user. Systems people think they know what the real needs for pl
18、anning, control, and management are. Often they do know, but even when they are right, the system is doomed to failure without the users direct involvement. This is because the viewpoint of the information user is different from that of the systems man, and a successful system must be built around t
19、he user and with his participation. The information user and his needs fall into three general groups: The user is tire one whose needs are unpredictable, which, of course, requires a large storage of information. Staff organizations. support, functions, and, troubleshooter are general users. This k
20、ind of user is probably the most difficult to satisfy in terms of database, question formulation, and retrieval techniques. The mission-oriented user is probably the easiest to satisfy. His needs are limited and he can define them pretty well. Information formating;and retrieval can be. Achieved wit
21、hout too much trouble compared with the needs of the general user. The managenal user is characterized by the urgency he must impose on the availability of the information. Decision-supporting information must be quickly accessible and great depth of supporting information is also required. There of
22、 some similarity between the needs of the general user and the needs of general user. Survey of Need The higher the pcsition of the user, the more general are his interests and, therefore, the more difficult it becomes to satisfy his needs. For this reason, it is mandatory that the high-level user p
23、articipate in the systems design. If he does, he will understand the limitations of the system before he tries to use it. Such understanding will keep his“limitation frustrations“to a minimum. To determine into which category the information system user belongs and how the system must be structured
24、to suit. his needs, a user study must precede any system design. Such a study would examine purpose, identification, methodology of operation, and analysis of anticigated reults of the user. Perhaps the most direct and useful approach is the one called “critical incidence“. Under this technique, the
25、 users needs are determined by asking him to: List all decisions he has rnade over a period of time. Specify what information he needed to support these decisions. Disclose where he obtained the required information and how long it took to obtain in the desired form. Describe the faults he found in
26、the information he received or explan how valid he thought it was and why. Before installing an information system management will want to know what it will cost and what benefit it will bring. Its easy to estimate the costs. However, putting a dollar figure on the henefits is much more difficult be
27、cause ma ny of them are intangible. The case for information systems in todays competitive and cost-effective industrial and business environment can be stated rather simply:An information system is no longer the peak of sophistication to be used as a showpiece of progressive management projection,
28、but it is an indispensable tool for decision making without which there is no long-range business survival or growth. Technology has mastered the art of saving time, bnt not the art of spending it. 译文 信息系统的一些基本 问题 资料来源 : 管理刊物 作者： 乔治 苏尔 管理者一直运用信息来帮助他们制定决策。但是最近，随着电子数据处理的到来，有关信息问题的讨论才多起来。计算机已经使比以前处理更多的
29、数据变为可能，然而矛盾的是，管理者也可能会因为信息的枯竭而陷入困境。 为了更有意义地讨论信息问题及其解决方案，我们必须界定我们所说的信息的意思。信息是一种被某个人通过某种方式直接或者利用电脑间接地处理过的数据。未经过处理的事实和数字只是数据，而不是信息。 问题的方面 信息问题的结果正如来自暴风雪一样的数据，这些数据是由今天的信息爆炸所产生的，它几乎将决策者掩埋在如雪崩一样的数据和报告里，而这些数据和报告不可能让决策者能够足够快的消化而对他没有任何好处。 而这个问题是多方面的： 1. 虽然执行者周围都是数据，但是他经常会缺少他所需要的信息。 2. 管理者无法很快地获取相关的信息以及随意的阻挡不相
30、关的信息。 3. 管理者无法在他的客户或他的竞争者所允许他的反应时间内获取信息。 4. 要获得决策信息，管理者必须滥用另一个最重要的和昂贵的，也是在他曾处理过的其他管理者 那里的商品。 5. 一旦管理者用一个非常离谱甚至和它的价值不相称的代价获取了他所需的信息，他也会马上失去这个信息，因为这个可进入的信息库是属于一个为自己而挖掘出来的个体的，并且这个个体并不总是可用的，或者也会被储存在他有限的和其他信息共存的记忆里的信息所代替。 简而言之，一个信息问题存在于当一个组织无法提供给经营者最新并且相关的信息时，而这些信息正是经营者计划、控制和管理使用成本的有效资源所需要的信息。 信息管理系统试图通过
31、在正确的时间向正确的人用正确的方式提供相关信息来解决这个信息问题。 A. F. Goodman博士，一个检索专家，描绘了一个很好的信息系统，“一种为合适的高质量信息方便和快速的传送带，而这种信息来自使用者的发生器。” 信息系统是一种达到目的的手段而不是目的本身。该系统的文件，图表和照片应作为一种手段来操纵，索引，并显示信息。这样的系统只是给出问的是什么，它不会做出判断使用或质量有关的内容。而这个检测是用户的工作。 信息需求 当谈及信息系统的问题时，我们一定要将真实信息需求和所谓的期望需求相区别。真实需求指那些当下并不充分但必须被满足的要求。它们必须得到任何一个预期信息系统的优先满足。期望需 求
32、指的是那些将在未来得到发展的需求。满足今天的信息系统需求而同时也必须牢记满足明天的需求。如果在设计信息系统时这个工作没有做好，那么这个系统甚至会在它开始运行之前就成了废弃的了。 一个公司在进行一些更加复杂的工作之前得考虑好基本系统。然而，必须确定的是将要被用来为网状系统服务的基础控制中心的形态已经被设计好了以使能和期望中的长远结果相吻合。 当你评估信息系统时，你得考虑信息层次。信息需求可以归为三大类：操作层面当被视为初始系统， 因为它照看日常需求，而且在评估最底层组织的状况时也是最有用的。战术信息层次对于干线活动可能是最有用的，如主要的操作组织。伴随着这个种类的就是信息支持工程，像制造，采购，
33、质量控制，等等。战略信息层次在策划活动上发挥重要作用。这些活动处理最困难的问题，这些问题许诺会有最大的回报。支持任何模拟活动的信息系统将会归为这一类，因为从长远来看，战略层次系统将会影响其他层次的信息需求。 信息系统应当提供在使用者和信息之间所必需的相互作用，从而能被描述成对抗的工具。为了提供期望的相互作用，它必须具备内在的和外在的信息意识。 用户人群 信息系统不可能成功，除非它是就直接需求而设计的而且有使用者的充分参与。在这样的系统里，人们认为他们自己知道计划，控制，管理的真正需求。通常他们是知道这些的，但即使是当他们是正确时，如果没有使用者的直接涉入，这个系统也是注定要失败的。这是因为信息
34、使用者的观点与信息人的观点是不同的，而一个成功的系统必须围绕使用者而建并且需要他们的参与。 按信息用户及其需求分类有以下三种： 1. 一般用户的需求是不可预知的，这就要求存有大量的信息。工作人员组织，支持功能以及检修人员都是一般用户。这种用户最可能对资料库 ，提问方式和检索技术感到不满。 2. 任务型用户大概是最容易满足的。用户的需求有限，并且会恰当使用信息。与一般用户相比，此类用户可以无误使用信息格式化和检索功能。 3. 管理型用户的特点是要求速成，即信息必须可以立即使用。决策支持信息和较复杂的信息也应当可以被快速提取。可见，管理型用户和一般用户的需求还是有一些类似的。 用户需求调查 职位级
35、别越高的一般用户对信息的要求就越高，从而越难满足。所以，就必须使高层用户自身参与信息系统设计。如果他参与了设计，他就能在使用前了解该系统的局限性，因此，那些“信息系统的失 望”值可以降到最低。 要制定适合不同类型用户的信息系统，则要先研究用户需要什么。这样的研究将要对用户操作目的和方法进行调查，分析出用户预期结果。最直接有效的方法或许就是“关键事件法”。这个方法是向用户提出下列要求来得知用户的需求： 1. 请用户列出在一段时期内所做出的决定。 2. 请用户详述他需要什么信息来支撑这些决定。 3. 请用户说明信息的来源以及所花费的时间。 4. 请用户描述这些所得信息的错误之处或者他认为有用的信息并阐释其原因。 用户希望在安装信息管理系统之前知道安装此系统的费用以及它带来的好处。 对于花费，这显然是容易估算的，然而，投资它所能带来的好处却是难以一时评定的，因为它有许多无形的因素在起作用。 在当今以符合成本效率竞争激烈的商业环境下，这样的信 息系统案例及其容易发生：虽然信息系统不再是先进管理设想精密顶峰， 但是长期内不会有可以取而代之 的 工具来帮用户作出决定。 . 技术 是用来节约时间的，而不是用于浪费时间的。
