MIP:Managing the Information Provision. 1

MIP:Managing the Information Provision

Ing. D. J. C. van der Hoven,
HIT B.V., G. H. Hegger, KPN
and Drs. J. van Bon,
Inform-IT, the Netherlands

Here, you will find a process model for management of internal provision of information. This model states how the information needs of organisational processes can be translated into IT facilities, which can be used in the organisation. In considering internal provision of information, service is of the essence. The model is defined in terms of processes and acts as a stepping stone for discussions concerning many other process models used for fleshing out IT management.

Introduction

In recent years, the approach to IT Management has taken a turn for the better. Until the early 90's, the focus was on developing applications, building systems and networks. Models such as ITIL1, ISM2 and IPW3 helped lay more emphasis on continuous delivery and adjustment of IT facilities for4 the customer organisation. The model for management of internal provision of information builds on that thought. The purpose of the model is to:

- Create insight into the inter-relationships of the processes involved in provision of information, by narrowing down the complexity to a few process groups.
- Create an understanding with which to achieve the provision of information.

The model was set up because of the existing need for a model, which provides clear insight into the relationship between various organisational processes and their support, by means of simple IT facilities. It can be used for putting the IT organisation into practice, determining the players in the `management' field and in applying various other models for fleshing out IT management. In fact, MIP `recycles' ITIL for the purpose of functional management (solving functionality incidents, changing functionality, etc.). So where MIP provides added value, is in the separation and modulation of information, copy, type and functionality (specification) management. In other words, better modulated configuration management. In doing so, the management/ planning & control cycle of: Change (planning + changing) and Rest (exploitation + evaluation) is applied at every level. It is important to pass on and control the necessary changes from the higher levels down to the lower levels, through the configuration abstraction levels, in a structured and controlled manner.