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Discuss The Three Approaches of MIS Development

The three approaches to MIS development are: 1. Top-down approach which starts with defining organizational objectives and identifying information requirements to develop an integrated information system. 2. Bottom-up approach which starts with identifying essential "life stream systems" like payroll and inventory and developing separate systems that are later integrated. 3. Integrative approach which allows managers at all levels to provide input into the design in an iterative process until a final design is agreed upon.

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19K views2 pages

Discuss The Three Approaches of MIS Development

The three approaches to MIS development are: 1. Top-down approach which starts with defining organizational objectives and identifying information requirements to develop an integrated information system. 2. Bottom-up approach which starts with identifying essential "life stream systems" like payroll and inventory and developing separate systems that are later integrated. 3. Integrative approach which allows managers at all levels to provide input into the design in an iterative process until a final design is agreed upon.

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ndgharat
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Discuss the three approaches of MIS development.

Answer
For developing MIS, three approaches are used, viz., Top down approach, Bottom up
approach and Integrative approach. Each of these is described below:
(i) Top down approach: The development of MIS under top down approach starts with the
defining of the objectives of the organisation, the kind of business it is in, and the
constraints under which it operates. The activities or functions for which information
would be required are also identified. The crucial strategic and tactical decisions are also
defined and the decisions necessary to operate the activities are specified. From the
activities or functions and the decisions to be made, the major information requirements
are ascertained.
This approach develops a model of information flow in the organization, which acts as a
guide for designing the information system. By using the model of information flow,
various information sub-systems may be defined. Each sub–system comprises of various
modules. The selection of a module for developing system is made on the basis of the
priority assigned to it.
The various sub–systems and their modules are coordinated to achieve the objective of
integration. The information system so developed is viewed as a total system, which is
fully integrated, rather than as a collection of loosely coordinated sub–systems.

It is also evident from the nomenclature that top management takes the initiative in
formulating major objectives, policies and plans in a comprehensive manner and
communicates them down the line to middle and supervisory management levels for
translating them into performance results. Managers other than those at top levels have
little role in planning, they have to only concentrate on implementation and day–to–day
control.

(ii) Bottom-up approach: The development of information system under this approach
starts from the identification of life stream systems. Life stream systems are those
systems, which are essential for the day–to–day business activities. The examples of life
stream systems include payroll, sales order, inventory control and purchasing etc. The
development of information system for each life stream system starts after identifying its
basic transactions, information file requirements and information processing programs.
After ascertaining the data/information requirements, files requirement and processing
programs for each life stream system, the information system for each is developed. The
next step is towards the integration of data kept in different data files of each information
system. The data is integrated only after thoroughly examining various applications, files
and records. The integrated data enhances the shareability and evolvability of the
database. It also ensures that all programs are using uniform data. Integrated data also
provides added capability for inquiry processing and ad–hoc requests for reports.
The next step under bottom up approach may be the addition of decision model and
various planning models for supporting the planning activities involved in management
control. Further, these models are integrated to evolve model base. The models in the
model base facilitate and support higher management activities. They are useful for
analysing different factors, to understand difficult situations and to formulate alternative
strategies and options to deal them.

(iii) Integrative approach: This approach can overcome the limitations of the above two
approaches when used objectively. Integrative approach permits managers at all levels
to influence the design. Top management identifies the structure and design of MIS
suitable to the concern. This design is further presented to lower level managers for their
views and modifications. The managers at the lower level are permitted to suggest
changes, additions, or deletions and return the design with their suggestions to the top
level for approval. The revised design is drawn and evaluated by the top level and sent
down again in a modified form for further consideration if required. This evaluation
modification and approval process continues until a final design is achieved, that is
suitable for all levels.

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