Unit 4.44 Management Information Systems
Level 4 12 Credits
Related qualification: ATHE Level 4 Diploma in Computing (QCF)
Assessment Guidance
To achieve this unit, learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for this unit. Additional guidance is provided on the ATHE sample assignment brief. Learners will produce a report which researches how organisations use different management information systems and they will also need to work with an actual information system in an organisation to meet the standards for LO2 and LO3.
Sample Assignment
Scenario
Organisations use management information systems for a range of purposes. This will include gaining a comprehensive understanding of business performance; to help them achieve competitive advantages, work within the law and to carry out processes effectively and efficiently. Fast Truck Food (FTF) is a new business and the Managing Director, Frank Patel, has asked you to investigate MIS systems that are used in both small and large organisations and recommend one which would be suitable for his fast truck food service. Fast Truck is a truck which is used as a restaurant selling fast food but doesn’t as such have any premises. Produce a report to Frank, outlining your findings.
Activity 1
Choose at least two businesses to research, including a large and a small organisation. The first section of the report must ensure Mr Patel understands management information systems in organisations. Your report should:
- analyse how data is used within one of the organisations you have chosen
- using the exemplar material evaluate different features of management information systems
- explain how FTF can comply with legal and organisational requirements when using MIS
- evaluate how FTF can utilise MIS for competitive advantage
Use real examples from real businesses to support your findings.
LO1 Assessment criteria, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
Activity 2
In the second section of the report you must use an actual management information system in an organisation. The information from this case study will help Mr Patel understand management information systems in practice.
Choose a business to research and recommend improvements to the management information system. You will need to carry out comprehensive research, so you must know this business well and have access to the relevant information. The research must enable you to:
- analyse how the business uses its management information system to improve performance
- evaluate the effectiveness of this system
- make recommendations to improve the current system.
Finally on the basis of this research, you must include a plan to further develop the system
LO 2 Assessment criteria 2.1, 2.2
LO 3 Assessment criteria 3.1, 3.
Guidelines for assessors
The assignments submitted by learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for the unit. The suggested evidence below is how learners can demonstrate that they have met the required standards.
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Activity
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Assessment criteria
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Suggested evidence
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1
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LO1 Assessment criteria, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
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The learners must produce a report which demonstrates their understanding of management information systems in organisations. Learners must choose more than one organisation and this must include a small and large business. They can use a business they are familiar with or have worked in or the work may be based on case study material. The learner must analyse the different types of data/information that are used within an existing management information system and there must be an evaluation of the common and different features that the businesses use, showing how the data is stored securely. The learners will evaluate the links between information systems and competitive advantage and use the latest examples from case studies to support their answers. They will look at innovative ways that businesses use management information systems for competitive advantage.
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2
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LO2 Assessment criteria, 2.1, 2.2LO 3 Assessment criteria 3.1, 3.2
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In this section of the report learners will need to use an actual management information system to complete their work. This can be in an organisation they know well such as the college, place of employment, a club or society where they are a member etc. Alternatively they can use case study material but this must allow the learners to access the correct information and at a sufficient depth to meet the standards. The learners must provide a detailed analysis showing how the organisation uses management information systems to improve business performance. They must evaluate the effectiveness of a MIS system judging what is working well and areas for improvement. The learners may wish to observe, how the organisation deals with data/information in order for improvements to be made. They may wish to conduct interviews with staff who are operating and using the systems or use a survey. Based on the evaluation realistic recommendations need to be made. The plan must show the steps which need to be taken to further develop the information system. This should be in a logical order and within stated time frames. The learner should clearly relate this to systems development theory.
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