The Importance of MIS

Summary

In this heartwarming conversation, a father and his son discuss their lives, work, and education. The father, recently rehired after a tough period, shares how construction is picking up again, while the son, studying Management Information Systems (MIS), explains the components of an information system. Through a creative metaphor involving glasses, soda, and straws, the son helps his father understand the importance of hardware, software, data, procedures, and people in information systems. The discussion highlights the value of systems thinking and abstract thinking in solving business problems, emphasizing the transferable skills learned in MIS.

Takeaways

• 😀 The narrator's father was hired back by his company after a tough period, celebrating the return to work and financial stability.
• 😀 The father's job involves construction, and although he took a pay cut, he is grateful to be employed again.
• 😀 Sam, the narrator's child, is studying Management of Information Systems (MIS), a field related to managing IT systems and business processes.
• 😀 Sam explains that MIS involves more than IT; it focuses on the integration of hardware, software, data, procedures, and people.
• 😀 The script highlights a simple analogy where the different elements of an information system are compared to glasses filled with soda (data), which is crucial for the system's function.
• 😀 The father, initially unfamiliar with Sam's field, learns that effective information systems depend on managing data, hardware, software, procedures, and people.
• 😀 Sam emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of an information system and the data required for its operation before deciding on hardware and software.
• 😀 Systems thinking is important for understanding how inputs and outputs of information systems relate to each other, as well as abstract thinking to model business processes.
• 😀 Sam is excited about the potential applications of information systems, such as designing an inventory management system for a chain of boutiques.
• 😀 The script ends with a reflection on how Sam's developing thinking skills, particularly in systems and abstract thinking, will be valuable across different industries, offering job security.

Q & A

What was the primary reason for the father's visit in the script?

The father visited to celebrate the good news of being hired back by the company after a tough few years, and to spend time with his family during homecoming.

What challenge did the father face before being rehired?

The father was affected by the construction downturn, which led to him being let go from his job. However, he was eventually rehired with a pay cut, but he is grateful to be back at work.

What is Sam studying, and how does it relate to IT?

Sam is studying Management Information Systems (MIS), which involves managing both hardware and software systems, but he is not specifically focusing on IT. He explains that it's more about managing data, procedures, and people.

How does Sam explain the elements of an information system?

Sam explains that an information system consists of five key elements: hardware, software, data, procedures, and people. These elements work together to make the system functional, with each serving a distinct role.

What is the third element in an information system, according to Sam?

The third element in an information system is data. Sam compares it to soda in a glass, explaining that data is necessary for the system to function, just like a drink would be useless without liquid.

How does Sam describe the role of people in an information system?

Sam describes people as the final element in an information system. They interact with the system, using it to perform tasks, make decisions, and manage the data and procedures effectively.

What is the connection between project management software and an information system?

Project management software, like Open Enterprise, is a part of the software element of an information system. It helps track and manage the data related to the cost and schedule, and allows people to perform tasks effectively.

What key skills is Sam developing in his studies, and how are they useful in business?

Sam is developing systems thinking and abstract thinking skills, which help him model and design information systems, and understand their purpose in business. These skills are versatile and can be applied across various business functions.

What kind of information system does Sam envision working on in the future?

Sam envisions working on an inventory management system for a chain of specialty boutiques, helping them manage fashion inventory across various locations. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of businesses and the importance of managing data effectively.

Why is Sam excited about the thinking skills he is learning in his course?

Sam is excited because the thinking skills he's developing—such as systems thinking and abstract thinking—are transferable to any type of business. These skills will always be valued and provide job security, as they are not limited to a specific trade.