Information Flow

Information flows both within an organisation and between the organisation and the outside world. A number of different methods support this information flow which allow information to flow both up and down the hierarchy. Note that the information may flow internally between individuals, departments or between any of the subsystems that make up the organisation. Methods by which information flows within an organisation are

• Meetings
• Forms
• Group presentations
• Electronic mail
• Telecommunications systems
• Memos
• Notice boards
• Reports
• Office grapevine

Each of these methods will be responsible for aiding the flow of information through the organisation. Some of them are informal methods that will not be integrated into a MIS. Others of them may be linked to the organisations MIS. For example a presentation package put together for a meeting might be put together using the organisations information system and incorporating output from the MIS.

The organisation's structure will impose constraints on this flow of information. Unless steps are taken to free up the flow, then it would be difficult for an operational level worker to pass information directly to a strategic level manager. Devices like suggestions boxes are sometimes used to help the upward movement of information.

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