Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Susanne Leist

Description

Information is a valuable resource in today's companies. Consequently the goal-oriented use of information is of utmost importance. Information management deals with effective and efficient use of information resources in organizations.

This course is structured into six parts. After a brief introduction to the subject special attention is drawn to important tasks of the management of information. This part gives an overview of techniques and methods for analysing information needs, protecting information quality, and of concepts of information logistic. The third part deals with aspects of strategic information management. Information strategy as well as IT architecture may be seen as the main building blocks.

Tactical information management has a medium term focus. Special emphasis is placed in this field on aspects of the development of large software systems. High quality software systems depend to a large extent on the use of disciplined, methodical approaches not only to system design and implementation, but also to software project management. The course introduces methods and models for managing the development process of large software systems. This includes concepts of software process modelling, software documentation, and software quality assurance. Questions of project management, and cost and time estimations are covered as well as objectives, challenges and concepts of change management.

The last part of the course focuses on executive tasks of information management. Topics of interest concerning IT departments include the role of the chief information officer as well as objectives and tasks of human resources. Risk management is another important management issue. A special section deals with tasks and techniques for planning, developing and managing IT security/safety. Finally special questions of information management are addressed in this course. We present dimensions and consequences regarding decisions on centralization vs. decentralization, standardization vs. individualization, and insourcing vs. outsourcing.

Outline

1. Introduction
   1.1. Data - Information - Knowledge
   1.2. What is Information Management?
   1.3. Concepts of Information Management

2. Management of Information
   2.1. Information Resources, Information Demand and Information Need
   2.2. Information Logistics
   2.3. Information Quality

3. Managing the Information System of an Organisation
   3.1. IS Strategy
   3.2. IS Architecture

4. Software Management
   4.1. Process Models for Software Development Projects
   4.2. Quality Management
   4.3. Planning and Scheduling Software Projects
   4.4. Cost Estimation in Software Projects
   4.5. Change Management

5. Executive Tasks of Information Management
   5.1. Chief Information Officer (CIO)
   5.2. Human Resources in the IT Department
   5.3. Risk Management
   5.4. Centralization vs. Decentralization
   5.5. Insourcing vs. Outsourcing
   5.6. Standardization vs. Individualization

6. Outlook

Learning Objectives

Successful participation in this course will enable students:

• to understand the fundamental concepts, mechanisms and terminology of information management,
• to describe, explain, and discuss the tasks and challenges of information management,to apply and extend their knowledge of information management in a changing environment, based on a sound understanding of the underlying principles.

Method of teaching

This course is conducted in form of lessons accompanied by weekly homework assignment (reading and exercises), and as a dialog between students and lecturer on selected readings from textbooks. Study material is provided as hypertext (see course type 2). Reading assignments and exercises cover the topics of the lessons in more depth and variety. They also include individually assigned work which will be fed back to the discussion forum. In addition, case studies covering practical applications are included.

Requirements

No formal prerequisites. However, students need a fundamental understanding of information systems, as developed in the earlier MBI courses "management information systems" and "information systems development".

Credits

6.0 credit points