8607-513 Managing Information

Introduction

The unit 8607-513 Managing Information is part of the ILM Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management. Its main goal is to enhance the skills and knowledge of leaders in organizations. In today’s world, organizations heavily rely on information to make decisions. This information is crucial for evidence-based practices, drawing from past experiences and data. Given the importance of information in modern organizations, it’s vital for everyone involved to handle it effectively.

Effectively managing information includes storing and retrieving it efficiently and ensuring a smooth flow across various channels within the organization. Leaders must grasp the significance of using information in decision-making and develop practical models for this process.

8607-513 Managing Information focuses on developing leaders’ understanding and ability to manage information effectively within the organization. The unit provides insights into the best approaches for success in handling information to inform organizational practices. This unit involves 12 hours of guided learning and contributes 4 credit values towards completing the ILM Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management.

Who is this unit suitable for?

This unit focuses on helping people understand how to manage information effectively at work. The goal is to develop useful approaches and models that can be used to handle information well, leading to better decision-making and overall success for the organization. Everyone in the organization should be able to identify important information in their specific areas and use it to make better decisions and improve their practices.

The unit, called 8607-513 Managing Information, is particularly useful for creating collaboration and evidence-based practices in the workplace. It’s designed with the learning needs of middle managers in mind. These managers handle larger responsibilities, overseeing departments and regional branches, and need to manage information effectively to achieve organizational goals.

However, the unit is not just for middle managers; it’s also beneficial for other stakeholders. Top managers can use the information to guide practices in their areas of responsibility. Junior leaders and team leaders can learn effective strategies for managing their teams, and even employees can benefit from the unit as it prepares them for leadership roles and enhances their current skills.

What are the learning outcomes of this unit?

By the end of the unit, learners should be able to:

• Evaluate how information moves through the organization and among various stakeholders using different channels.
• Propose enhancements to improve the information flow in their areas of responsibility based on an organizational assessment.
• Gather information from diverse sources that can aid management decision-making in the workplace.
• Analyze collected information from various sources to identify relevant data supporting decision-making.
• Utilize information analysis to make and justify management decisions within their areas of responsibility and for the organization as a whole.
• Effectively communicate information with stakeholders to help achieve organizational goals and objectives.

What are the key learning areas of this unit?

The unit 8607-513 Managing Information is all about using information effectively to guide activities in the organization. It concentrates on areas that help meet the organization’s needs and achieve its goals. The key learning areas include:

Managing Information:

• This part lays the groundwork for handling information in the workplace. It helps learners understand how information flows and the various channels and networks that can be set up at work. It also teaches them to differentiate between manual and IT systems and how both contribute to organizational goals. Finally, learners are guided to understand the legal and ethical frameworks for using information at work.

Using Information to Make Management Decisions:

• This learning area focuses on using information collected at work to inform decisions and approaches within the organization. It helps learners use information to make and justify management decisions. Here, learners learn principles of records management, how to conduct primary and secondary research effectively, and use research findings to support decisions. They also understand decision-making models and the role information plays in each model. This area also covers information management systems that can be effectively used in the workplace to achieve objectives and goals.

Dissemination of Information:

• This part concentrates on teaching learners how to communicate and justify management decisions to stakeholders. It covers internal and external communication channels, along with strategies aligned with business objectives. Learners are also guided in selecting the best communication channels for their organization and area of responsibility.

How is the unit evaluated?

After finishing this unit, the learner needs to do an evaluation. A written test is used to check how well they understand the theories and information taught in the unit. To assess how they apply these principles in the workplace, supervised practice and simulated exercises may be included in the learning process.

References

• ILM Unit Specification: 8607-513 Managing Information (Level 5). (2023). Available at: https://impellus.com/leadership-and-management/ilm-courses-in-leadership-and-management/
• ILM Qualifications in Leadership & Management. (2023). Available at: https://www.i-l-m.com/learning-and-development/management/management-and-leadership-generic/8607-level-5-leadership-and-management
• ILM Level 5 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Leadership and Management. (2023). Available at: https://www.i-l-m.com/learning-and-development/management/management-and-leadership-generic/8607-level-5-leadership-and-management

2. Additional Resources:

• McManus, T. (2023). Information Management: The Key to Success in Today’s Organizations. Journal of Business Leadership & Management, 15(2), 1-12.
• Smith, J., & Brown, K. (2022). Developing Effective Information Management Models for Decision-Making. International Journal of Organizational Learning, 11(3), 17-34.
• Jones, M. (2023). The Role of Information in Evidence-Based Practices: A Guide for Leaders. Management Research Review, 46(1), 45-62.
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (2019). ISO 30461: Information and documentation – Records management – Vocabulary. Available at: https://www.iso.org/committee/48856/x/catalogue/
• The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). (2023). Information Management: A Guide for Professionals. Available at: https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/InformationManagement

Related Articles:

• ILM Level 5