8607-513 Managing Information

Unit Overview

8607-513 Managing Information is a unit within the ILM Level 5 qualification in Leadership and management that focuses on improving the skills and knowledge of the leaders within the organisations. The modern organisational practice is significantly characterised by the use of information to make different decisions. This information contributes to the development of evidence-based practice, which is backed by data and experienced that organisations have had in the past. Due to the significance of information within the organisation in the modern world, it is critical for all stakeholders involved to be able to effectively handle information.

This involves being able to effectively store and retrieve information as well as facilitate effective information flow across different channels that have been established within the organisation. The concept of understanding the use of information in decisions making is critical for leaders, and hence they need to develop effective models to apply in the process of making this decision.

8607-513 Managing Information is a unit that is aimed at developing an understanding and ability to effectively manage information within the organisation as required of leaders. The unit creates information on the best approaches that can be used to facilitate success in handling information to inform organisational practices. This unit is taught in 12 hours of guided learning and contributes 4 credit values towards the completion of the ILM Level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

Suitability of the Unit

The unit focuses on developing an understanding of managing information effectively. It targets the development of effective approaches and models that can be implemented to effectively handle information within the workplace and ensure it contributes towards decision-making and the overall success of the organisation. All stakeholders within the organisation must be able to effectively identify relevant information in their areas of practice and implement strategies that aim at utilising this information to support their decision-making and practices within the workplace.

As such, 8607-513 Managing Information is a significantly suitable unit within the workplace in creating collaborative and evidence-based practice.The unit is designed with a focus on the learning needs of middle managers within the organisation. Middle managers are responsible for bigger scopes within the organisation, which include the lines, departments and regional branches of the organisation. As such, these individuals need to ensure they effectively handle information that contributes towards the accomplishment of goals and objectives of their respective organisation.

The unit, however, is also suited to other stakeholders. Top managers can use information from this unit to guide the practices within their areas of responsibility. Junior leaders and team leaders can also use this knowledge to build effective strategies to manage their teams. Employees are also suited to the unit as it prepares them for leadership roles as well as builds proficiency for the current practices.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the unit, the learners should be able to:

• Assess information flow using different channels within the organisation and across different stakeholders

• Suggest improvements that can be used to improve the flow of information in their areas of responsibility based on organisational assessment

• Collecting information from different sources that na be used to support management decision-making within the workplace

• Analyse information that they have collected from different sources to be able to identify relevant information to support decision making

• Use the analysis of information to make and justify management decisions made within their areas of responsibility and the organisation in general

• Communicate information with stakeholders to facilitate the accomplishment of the organisational goals and objectives.

Key Learning Areas

8607-513 Managing Information is a unit that focuses on the use of information to effectively guide activities within the organisation. It, therefore, focuses on areas that contribute towards meeting the needs of the organisation and achieving its goals and objectives. The main areas of learning include:

Management of Information

This area of learning lays the primary and basic foundations of managing information within the workplace. It helps the learners to understand the information flows as well as channels and networks that can be set up within the workplace. In this area of learning, the learner is made to differentiate and understand elements of manual and IT systems and how they contribute towards the accomplishment of the organisational goals and objectives. Lastly, they are guided to understand the legal and ethical frameworks that guide the use of information within the workplace.

Using Information to Make Management Decisions

This area of learning focuses on the use of the information collected within the workplace setting in informing various decisions and approaches within the organisation. It contributes towards the ability to use information to make and justify management decisions. In this area of learning, the learner is guided to understand principles of records management as well as effectively conducting both primary and secondary research and using the findings of the research in supporting their decisions. They are also guided in understanding decision-making models and the roles that information plays in each model. In this area, learners are made to understand the information management systems that can be used effectively within the workplace to achieve the desired objectives and goals.

Dissemination of Information

This area of learning focuses on approaches that the learner can use to communicate the management decisions as well as justify them to stakeholders. The learners are taught the internal and external communication channels as well as the strategies that they can use to communicate with alignment to the business objectives. They are also guided to identify approaches to select the best communication channels for their organisation and area of responsibility.

Evaluation

Upon completion of this unit, the learner is required to complete an evaluation. A written assessment is used to determine the mastery of the theoretical frameworks and information that has been taught within the unit. Supervised practice and simulated exercises can be incorporated in the learning process to evaluate the practical use of these principles within the workplace.