Data and Information for Planning and Decision-Making

While reading about communications and technology, you have come across the words data and information. In this Discussion, you will have the opportunity to examine the differences between the meanings of the two words. How would you define data? How would you define information? Which word's meaning includes the meaning of the other word? Importantly, how do these two modes of providing content impact quality control in an operation?

Post by Day 3 a 150- to 500-word statement that answers both of the following questions:

· What are the differences between data and information, and how can they be used for effective planning and decision making?

· How does access to data and information impact a manager's ability to initiate, maintain, and control quality in an organization?

Support your work with specific citations from the Learning Resources. You are allowed to draw from additional sources to support your argument, but you must cite using APA standards. All quoted material must be identified, cited, and referenced per APA standards.

You are encouraged to enrich your posting with your personal examples, experience, or insights.

Edit your postings carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Respond by Day 6 with at least 75 words each to two or more of your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:

· Ask a probing question.

· Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.

· Offer and support an opinion.

· Make a suggestion.

· Expand on your colleague's posting.

Please note that that you are expected to post and respond to class Discussions a minimum of 2 different days each week (1 day to submit your post, another to respond to your colleagues). Points will be deducted if you do not participate in the course Discussion on at least on 2 days during the week.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your posting and responses. Note what you have learned and the insights that you gained as a result of participating in this Discussion.

Assignment

Personal and Professional Growth

Each student comes to this course with his or her own unique set of experiences, knowledge base, and perspectives. It is therefore to be expected that you take different things away from this course and find different topics to be the most or least valuable.

This course has covered a range of management topics, including the functions of a manager, ethics, diversity, the global business environment, decision making and planning techniques, approaches to organizing and motivating employees, the complexity of leadership, group dynamics and human resource management, and the management of information systems and quality control.

Think about which of the many topics, theories, or concepts addressed in this course has or will mean the most to you in your current or future employment.

Submit by Day 7 a 350- to 700-word paper which addresses the following questions:

· How have your attitude or perspectives on management changed or been reinforced by this course?

· Which concept or piece of new information most surprised you? Why?

· What knowledge or insights gained from this course will be the most useful or important to you as you proceed with your career? Why?

Application Assignments must be in APA style and format. Information on APA is available at the Walden Writing Center.

Evaluation

In addition to fully answering the assignment's questions, this assignment will be evaluated for clarity of writing, critical analysis of the issues, proper use of references to support the positions taken, and adherence to APA standards. Also see this assignment's rubric, provided in the Course Information area.