Information Management and Strategic Decision-Taking at Walmart

This report analyzes the role of information management in strategic decision-making, focusing on Walmart as a case study. It discusses the features of data and information, criteria for selection, and the impact of management information systems on the organization. The report also covers legal responsibilities in sourcing, sharing, and storing information, as well as formats for information provision. Furthermore, it evaluates team performance plans in relation to strategic objectives, analyzes information to identify trends and patterns, and examines decision-making tools and data sources available for strategic decision-taking. Finally, the report addresses methods for monitoring and reviewing management information systems, analyzing the impact of information on strategic decisions, and developing information capture methods to support strategic decision-making. This resource, available on Desklib, provides students with a valuable example for understanding and applying these concepts.

Information Management and Strategic
Decision Taking

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
Importance of management information on strategic decisions.................................................4
1.1 Features of data and information...........................................................................................4
1.2 Criteria to apply for selection of appropriate data and information to support strategic
decisions......................................................................................................................................5
1,3 Impact of management information system on an organisation...........................................5
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Legal responsibilities in sourcing, sharing and storing information.....................................6
2.2 When information access is allowed and offered.................................................................6
2.3 Formats in which information is provided and impact of using various formats ................7
2.4 Evaluation of team performance plan to match with strategic objectives.............................7
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Analyse information to identify trends, patterns and impact on strategic decision-making. 8
3.2 Decision-making tools and techniques available to support strategic decision making.......8
3.2 Data and information sources available to assist in strategic decision taking .....................9
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
Monitor and Review management information system..............................................................9
4.1 Identify methods of evaluating management information system........................................9
4.2 Processes and methodologies for analysing the impact of information on the strategic
decisions made..........................................................................................................................10
4.3 Determine methods of developing information capture to inform and support strategic
decision making........................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
The term information management is explained as a collection, storage and archiving of
documents that is used for obtain the information from different sources. On the other side,
strategic decisions refer to those actions or activities which are concerned with entire
environment in which organisation operate their business. Walmart is selected as an organisation
for this report and this is an American Multinational Retail Corporation which operates the chain
of hypermarkets, discount department stores and grocery store from their headquarters
established in Bentonville, U.S. Furthermore, report highlights on importance of management
information system on strategic decisions and also importance of sharing information (Costa and
et. al., 2017). In the last, methods to review and evaluate the management information will also
included in this report.
TASK 1
Importance of management information on strategic decisions
1.1 Features of data and information
In the present scenario, competition is one of the major challenging factor related with
market and organisation. Therefore, data and information system perform an important role as
they are useful for providing effective insights related with business.
 Accuracy and precision- With this characteristic accuracy of data is engaged within
organisation as they not have erroneous elements. Also, it aids Walmart to convey the
right and accurate information among all departments. This results to save the
organisation from misleading their objectives. In context Walmart, accuracy and
precision both are essential because management make huge investment for manage their
store in a global market. Therefore, with use of accuracy and precision methods this is
easy for organisation to sustain in market by ensure that their investment are safe..
 Easy to use and understand- All information is transferred among the organisational
departments in a clear and concise manner (Hewitt, Stone and Tait, 2017). This refers
that Walmart demonstrate all information in a transparent manner because it aids to
complete task with more efficiency. Some methods use by Walmart for share or
exchange information are email, presentation and printed report as they are appropriate
mediums to seeing information in same style.

1.2 Criteria to apply for selection of appropriate data and information to support strategic
decisions
There are numerous factors exists and they are used for selection of right, accurate data as
well as information system to collect all information in order to make appropriate strategic
decisions.
 Nature, scope and object- Walmart authorities make decisions related with organisational
factors and this include nature as well as objectives of projects. In context of Walmart
decision-making, organisation engage all information perspectives through which work
is completed according to decided objectives.
 Time-factor- Availability of time perform an important role and it is taken into account
by the management before make the decisions (Li, Ota and Dong, 2018). This refers that
the current information related with long term plans is delegated into small goals and it
support the management to complete the task with decided time-project.
 Precision required- Precision is another most important and it aid to complete all work
according to the collected data and information. Walmart utilise the precision for
appropriate decision-making because it aid them to complete task in an efficient manner
among all situations.
With the use of above factors management considered towards analyse of objectives and than
relate them with time-factor in order to manage the work within précised manner.
1,3 Impact of management information system on an organisation
Management information system provide all essential information to the organisation
which is required by management to manage and complete all projects in an efficient and
effective manner. MIS are considered as those computer systems which is useful for manage
organisation. Furthermore, management information system is distinct from other information
system and it useful for gather the reliable and accurate data. Walmart authorities understand that
role of management information system is most crucial for an organisation and this is because it
aid management to engage effective methods for completion of their work in an organised
manner. Since, MIS is most important for the Walmart and this also impacts on organisation
functions and performance (Pappas and Papatheodorou, 2017). Like, with good support of MIS,
leaders and managers of Walmart such as finance, marketing, personnel and production perform
their project with more efficiency and this is because it aid them to track and monitor functional

targets. Moreover, functional managers of Walmart are updated about the progress systems that
make better process system to complete their work in an organised manner. Also, disciplined
information helps to create effective decisions by forecasting all situations related with business.
TASK 2
Importance of information sharing within an organisation
2.1 Legal responsibilities in sourcing, sharing and storing information
Data protection law deals with the all those factors and security sections which is related
with data and information transfer from through utilising the electronic transmission method. As
per the Data protection act, 2018 this is implemented among each organisation which exists in
market. Some of the main entities related with legal information are mention as follow:
Data-controller- This refers to the single person among an organisation and it work as the
public authority or agency related with business (Rao and et. al., 2019). Furthermore, data
controller determines about all those purposes and means that relates with personal data.
Privacy and consent- Regulations are developed with the motive of performing all work in an
ethical manner. Walmart perform their operations at global level so this is important for
management that reliable information is used as this helps to make business accurate business
decisions and this support manager for manage work in an organised manner.
Fair and transparent data-processing- GDPR induce various duties among organisation and it
provide the detailed explanations related with business specially, to those aspects that is directly
related with data-subject. Walmart make decisions in a fair manner especially, those that
associate with stakeholders in order to process data-information ethically.
2.2 When information access is allowed and offered
In simple terms, the information access is offered and also allowed to user in those case
when the individual provide confirmation that their personal data is allow to use. Example-
Notifications is demonstrate at the time of opening website for accept of cookies. Furthermore,
information sharing allow to for make copy of personal data in order to match information with
the purpose of Walmart (Trianni and et. al., 2017). In order to allow the data-controller
techniques management considered towards share of information with its stakeholders.
On the other side, access of information performs an important role but there is no
particular method exists that is used for make valid judgements related with written and verbal

factors. Furthermore, Data-processing controlling units also used to encourage individuals for
avoid dispute that exists in timing of performing work with access requests to take permission
from authorised users of Walmart.
2.3 Formats in which information is provided and impact of using various formats
Excel, Word and Jpg, etc. are different formats that are used for store information. On the
other side, all information is transferred to management as per personal data that aid to access the
rights related with management (Verdejo-García, Alcázar-Córcoles and Albein-Urios, 2019).
Personal information related with different departments of Walmart aids for forecast the data
according to decided authorities policies and strategy in order to store work related information
according to decided format. Some of them are mention as follow:
 File Format- It refers to the level that indicates about file extensions and as per current
factors this is indicated by Internet Media Type, including text/html etc. On the other
side, versions perform an important role and this aid towards the analyse of all those
specific purpose related with type of project.
 Bitstream coding- Also, this is identified among wave or aiff files. Also, this aid to
define all areas according to content category such as to share information related with
descriptive, reflection and product related information. Walmart use this the Bitstream
coding for store information in a systematic manner.
2.4 Evaluation of team performance plan to match with strategic objectives
Usually, organisation face various productivity issue and it impacts on their output. This
is because of various poor team performance and lack of proper guidance due to which it is
complex for workforce to manage work according to decided goals. Some steps related with
performance plans are mention as follow:
 Formulation of performance goals- This step is used for manage and formulate
workforce related performance goals. For achieve this goals management also provide
training in order to engage all employees and documents related with aim of improving
work that maximise individual, company and team-performance (Wei, 2019). Walmart
utilise this for match and monitor workforce roles with decided company objectives.
 Revisit project goals- All teams are engaged towards accomplishment of similar goals so
this is important for management to analyse and evaluate team-performance on constant

basis. Walmart minimise loopholes through revisiting all goals in decided time
specifically, to minimise the task and team related challenges.
TASK 3
3.1 Analyse information to identify trends, patterns and impact on strategic decision-making
Trends and patterns of information such as way to communicate them, Identification and
exploration of data-patterns as well as trends also reveals all information and exploration that aid
Walmart to make accurate decisions and theories related with plans. LINEAR and
EXPONENTIAL trend are the major techniques related with business specifically, for a retail
industry (Xiao and Benbasat, 2018). With basic understanding management considered to use all
patterns and trends in a way that improves its strategic decision-making sections. WALMART
implement linear trend and this is because it helps to take constant decisions that provide clear,
accurate and efficient results. Walmart increase decision-making power by use current and
effective decisions.
3.2 Decision-making tools and techniques available to support strategic decision making
Walmart leaders are responsible for make right decisions on regular basis so this is
important for management to engage skilled employees because it aid manager to make effective
and informed decisions.
 Decision-making diagram- Graphs, charts and diagram enable an organisation to make
important decisions related with operational project of business. Walmart make strategic
decisions through use of this method and it helps to estimate all actions related with
outcome and risk factors.
 Force field analysis- With use of force field analysis an organisation examine and
understand all project related force that support Walmart to make important decisions
related with current environment and situation. It results to understand process of
organisation in a more appropriate manner.
 Strategy Map- This is used by Walmart for utilises various documents and all of them are
considered towards accomplish of business goals. Furthermore, map is created at the time
of planning process and this works as a primary material for check-in and review of
meetings in proper manner.

3.2 Data and information sources available to assist in strategic decision taking
Data driven decision-making works refers to a process which is used for collect data
based on organisational goals and KPI (Xu and et. al., 2018). Also, importance of data related
with decisions stand for consistency and continuous growth that enable organisation to formulate
and achieve new business opportunities in order to earn more revenue. Importance of data and
information in decision-making results towards formulation of effective objectives. From
perspective of Walmart gather of information and data perform an important role as they are
crucial for make better learning related with retail decision-making. Furthermore, the key
component to manage work results in completion of task with decided strategy.
TASK 4
Monitor and Review management information system
4.1 Identify methods of evaluating management information system
A management information system is explained as an advanced system and this is used
for manage the organisation and institution information system. It is explained as the
computerised database through which organisation engage all program in a manner that aid to
generate methodical reports for each level. Methods to review some management information
system are mention as follow:
 Quality Assurance Review- This is also explained as a technical review and it
determines about technical quality performance. It is used to check the quality and
responsibility of information. Also, quality assurance engages data transmission rate,
secondary storage and CPU capacity for ensure about the technical operations of
business.
 Reliability and accuracy- The key indicator related with measuring of performance
engage MIS and its usefulness to complete all work according to decided data. This
technique check accuracy of products that is collected by MIS. Furthermore, usefulness
results in completion of information as per precision of data that helps to complete work
as per decided parameters of accuracy and reliability.
 Timeliness of Information- Management information system is used for evaluate all
patterns and assumptions related with organisational future. This tool helps to collect
information in minimum time. Most of them is based on MIS data and this aid to make

decisions related with reality factors. Decision-making for Walmart aid to complete all
work according to availability of resources.
4.2 Processes and methodologies for analysing the impact of information on the strategic
decisions made
Continuous analysis within organisation perform an important role and this is used to
formulate strategic decisions related with business. Transparent decisions perform an important
role and this aid to manage work according to decide task according to the decision-making
(Zhang, Zhao and Gupta, 2018). Also, planning, designing and implementation of work perform
an important role and it support the Walmart for complete the task according to customised
factors. Direct systematic methodologies impact on organisational decisions because of change
in work related sections. Moreover, decisions related with evaluation of investment helps for
forecast and make effective outcomes from completion of projects. This also ensure resources
are managed according to appropriate decision support system. Involvement of individual engage
support system and it helps to analyse overall decisions related with business. Walmart engage
persons from all backgrounds because this helps in share of files related with data in an
organised manner.
4.3 Determine methods of developing information capture to inform and support strategic
decision making
Structured System Analysis and design method is explained as a wide use of computer
applications development and this helps for manage work according to decided project. In the
present scenario, with use of SSADM method management of Walmart improves technology
related systems for record large amount of information at a same level. This is also used to
improve project management and its control through manage work according to decided
structure. Techniques and procedures of SSADM record all information because this helps in
completion of project according to decided project.
Waterfall model perform an important role to improve and develop the information.
Furthermore, this is highly structured and also systematically relates with different requirements
of document preparation. In context of Walmart waterfall model is more effective because it this
is more useful to complete the work according to strategic steps.

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