Level of Business Activity

Explain the level of Business Activity with reference to Information required?

While developing an information management strategy within an organization, it is useful to consider informations need at on three levels :

1. Corporate (Top Level ) Team Division

 2. Business Unit (Middle Level)

3. Individual (Low Level )

The needs of each of these three levels must be met if a coordinated and effective solution is to be maintained in the long-term.

Failure to address any one of the levels will lead to areas of the business or individuals finding their own solution, which may not fit well within the strategic goals of the organization.
Corporate (Top Level Information) : At the top level corporate informations that is useful for the whole organization. This 'global' information is generally well addressed by the corporate intranet. Examples of corporate information include policies and procedures, HR information, online forms, phone directory, etc. Interestingly, there may be a limited amount of truly global information, and it may not deliver the greatest (measurable) business benefits.
Team, division, business unit (Middle level) : The middle level is perhaps the most important, as it covers all the information shared within teams, divisions, business units, etc. This information may be critical to the day-to-day activities of the group, but of little interest to the rest of the organization. Examples include project documentation, business unit specific content, meeting minutes, etc. This level is generally poorly-served within organizations, although collaboration tools are increasingly being used to address team information needs. It is also being recognized that it is the 'local' information that may be the most valuable, in terms of driving the day-to-day activity of the organization.

Individual (Low Level) : At the lowest level the personal information need of staff exists throughout the organization. Examples include correspondence, reports and spreadsheets. In most organizations, staff must struggle with using e-mail to meet their information management needs. While staff generally recognizes the inadequacy of e-mail, they have few other approaches or technologies at their disposal.
Managing the Levels : While managing the information at each of the three levels, consider aspects need consideration: An information management solution must be provided for staff at each of the three levels. If corporate solutions aren't provided, then staff will find their own solutions. This is the source of poor-quality intranet sub-sites, and other undesirable approaches. A clear policy must be developed, outlining when and how it will apply at all the three levels and how information should be managed at each level. Processes must be put in place to 'bubble up' or 'promote' information from lower levels to higher levels. For example, some team-generated information will be critical for the whole organization. As much as possible, a seamless information management environment should be delivered that covers all the three levels.