8.2.2 Information characteristics versus decision types
In business, different types of decisions require different types of information, as the table below demonstrates.
Table 2 Seven characteristic differences between operational control and strategic planning
Characteristic |
Operational Control |
Strategic Planning |
Time frame |
Historical |
Predictive |
Expectation |
Anticipated |
Surprise |
Source |
Internal |
External |
Scope |
Detailed |
Summary |
Frequency |
Real-time |
Periodic |
Organisation |
Highly structured |
Loosely structured |
Accuracy |
Highly accurate |
Not overly accurate |
Activity 4
Complete the following questions to examine workplace information within your own context.
- In your specific job function give three examples of information you use.
- What are the characteristics of that information?
- What decisions do you make using that information?
- Who has to supply the key information you use to make accurate decisions?
- Who will access the information you have collected and processed?