Lab Assignment
1. Business Intelligence-It refers to a technological process or tool used by business people such as managers and owners in analyzing and presenting information. The objective is to collect, prepare and examine data for better business decision making.
2. Hardware-The physical parts of the HIS, and this includes the monitors, hard disk, graphic cards and other physical components needed to run a computer system.
3. HIS architecture-This is the overall design of an HIS system, which aims to help in facilitating transfer and communication of data.
4. HIS planning-This involves the designing the strategies and procedures in carrying out the operational ideas of the organization.
5. HIS strategy-The HIS strategy is considered as the plan to use the information system to pursue health management goals such as quality health care and cost handling.
6. Knowledge worker-It is a term that refers to individuals who work in planning, collecting, examining and distributing business information to other parties. It is also their duty to appropriately use their knowledge to use this information for better business outcome.
7. Software- The softwares used in the HIS are the computer instructions that allow the computer user to communicate with the mainframe and other computers. In the HIS operation, softwares allow for better management of information.
Brief Answers
a) Organizations must first have a clear vision before it formulates its mission. The vision is important because it allows the management to show its employees the direction that is being aimed for by the organization. The specific definition and articulation of the vision will facilitate the development of the mission to accomplish it. It is the vision of the organization that drives the building of other aspects of the business such as the mission.
b) The key difference between strategic and tactical planning is the time by which each concept relates to the overall business operation. Strategic planning is more focused in the future outcome, which generally prompt decision makers to decide based on future assumptions. That is, the strategic planning generally deals with the future plans of the company, in line with its mission and objectives. On the other hand, tactical planning deals with the day-to-day business operation. While tactical planning is directed towards helping achieve the overall vision of the organization, it is more focused in dealing with the current business situation. Most often, it involves the process of properly using the existing resources for a smooth operation.
c) The four themes in understanding HIS strategy are:
Operational strategy: This is the implementation of plans, techniques and devices as a means to improve quality while reducing cost of operations. In the HIS, the effective implementation of operational strategies can lead to better quality of services while being cost-effective.
Sustainability: This involves the integration of HIS into the overall operation, as well as its being adaptable to diverse technological and operational changes. A sustainable HIS must be able to transition when needed, but it must generally be designed to accommodate the needs of its stakeholders.
Innovation: The fact that information technology is an important aspect of HIS, calls for the need to maintain the existing system, while being open to the adoption of a better technology in the process.
Partnership: This theme refers to engaging with providers of health information systems for better operation and functioning.
d) Every organization that aims to be successful in the long run must have a strategic plan. A strategic plan helps direct the organization towards a long-term goal, thus the importance of having even during the start of the operation. While there are instances when businesses success without a strategic plan, the absence of strategy exposes them to more risks than those that opted to plan ahead. The existence of diverse challenges such as the tight completion, unforeseen events, and possible implementation of stricter government policies can have a detrimental impact on the business operation. An organization that fails to have a strategic plan have a higher tendency to suffer from adverse consequences when faced with unforeseen circumstances. For example, the lack of strategic plan means that the organization does not have a definite objective or goal to achieve. The absence of a defined objective translates to lack of focus, which is important if the organization must be successful in the future. Further, the absence or lack of strategic plan results in the inability of the management in properly allocating the resources, which can lead to substantial losses.
e. Four questions
Will this software be able to integrate with the existing HIS?
This question aims to determine that there will be no difficulty in using the new software with the existing system.
Does it have the ability to scale up when needed?
This must be asked to ensure that the software can be able to transition with innovation.
Is it user friendly?
The users must be able to learn how to use or operate the system, since this feature can have an impact on the acceptability of the new software or hardware.
Is it cost-effective?
The acquisition of a software and hardware requires consideration of the benefits and cost of buying it. That is, the benefits must always exceed the cost.
