Strategies for decision making information systems planning and management

Abstract

Effective decison making is highly dependend on selective and qualitied information. In a world which generates a huge amount of data, the process of selecting, storing and retrieving key data and combining them in well titted information has beco me a criticai one. This paper focuses on the value of good information systems to improve the decision making process, evaluates the basic kinds of information systems available in complex organizations and their usefulness for each of their main leveis. After a short review of key concepts, it presents a set of factors that must be taken into account when planning, modeling and implementing decision making support systems. Some Brazilian public sector experiences in this field are evaluated, and their strong points, deticiencies and lessons are pointed out, as well as the basic requirements that information should meet to fit the top levei management needs.