Management Information System (MIS)

Definition - What does Management I nformation System (MIS)mean?

A Management Information System (MIS) is a broadly used and applied term for a three-resource
system required for effective organization management. The resources are people, information and
technology, from inside and outside an organization, with top priority given to people. The System
is a collection of information management methods involving computer automation (software and
hardware) or otherwise supporting and improving the quality and efficiency of business operations
and human decision making.
As an area of study, MIS is sometimes referred to as "IT management" (information technology
management) or "information services" (IS). Neither should be confused with "computer science."
Techopedia explains Management Information System (MI S)
It is important to note that a MIS should not only indicate the status of a businesss conditions, but
also indicate why the conditions are improving or deteriorating. For example, a MIS should report
performance relative to cost and profitable or unprofitable projects, while identifying individual
accountability - both current and past. This can be done only if such reports are based on constantly
updated information accessible to those in authority who are responsible for assessing and assuring
it is used for timely decision-making.

Examples of the broad scope and varied contexts of MISs are: Decision Support Systems,
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management, Customer Relationship
Management (CRM), Project Management and Executive Information Systems (EIS), among others.

The term MIS and "information system" are often confused. Information systems, by themselves, are
differentiated from the decision making process. Of course, the data within them may facilitate the
decision making process.