Definition
Manner by which an individual addresses
and handles the flow of information. Ability to identify,
systematically collect, and organize information for use by
self or others in an organization. Information may be new or
updated procedures and policies, business contacts, etc.
Use data and information in a clear and rational thought
process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options,
form accurate conclusions, and make decisions.
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Behavioral Descriptions
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Proficiency Level 5
Integrates, synthesizes, and applies
information from multiple sources.
Determines procedures for maintaining
and evaluating information.
Develops methods for information
sharing.
Move beyond concrete analysis of factual information to
develop abstract, conceptual understanding of the
meaning of an array of information.
Integrate diverse themes and lines of reasoning to
create new insights or levels of understanding.
Think in terms of generalized (big picture) models
rather than concrete details.
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Proficiency Level 4
Uses various processes to organize
and evaluates data for relevance.
Maintains sophisticated filing or
storage systems.
Creates systems to share relevant
information with others.
Identify key facts in an array of data. Recognize
when pertinent facts are incorrect, missing, or require
supplementation or verification. Distinguish
information that is not pertinent to a decision or
solution.
Judge or infer appropriate responses to a set of
information on the basis of clear guidelines or
procedures.
Form accurate conclusions regarding actions to be taken.
In the absence of clear guidelines or information, use
judgment and critical thinking to infer appropriate
meaning and form conclusions necessary to resolving the
problem or issue.
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Proficiency Level 3
Collects information from multiple
sources.
Identifies needs for information and
collects from multiple sources within the organization.
Organizes information in clear and
easy to access system.
Continually updates outdated
information.
Break down data into component parts to understand the
nature and relationship of the parts.
Recognize underlying principles, patterns, or themes in
an array of related information, and determine whether
additional information would be useful or necessary.
Recognize the relatedness of and the patterns underlying
information in various forms and from various sources.
Draw inferences or conclusions about the meaning of
diverse information for the issue at hand.
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Proficiency Level 2
Collects information from a limited
number of sources.
Limits collection of information from
easily accessed sources.
Maintains information using simple
procedures (e.g., in personal lists or folders).
Understand general connect between
data gather and it's connection to business process.
Show some ability to
problem
solve using the data at hand.
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Proficiency Level 1
Overlooks need for information.
Information accumulated in
unorganized or haphazard manner.
Can not assimilate data.
Shows no ability to connect data to
to business processes.
Demonstrates very little ability to
problem
solve using the data at hand.
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Suggested Activities for Development
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Participate in or create a discussion
groups to discuss topics in your field.
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Take a Microsoft Access class to
learn how to create or maintain a customer database.
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Take a Microsoft Outlook class to
learn how to organize emails, schedules, and contact
information.
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Volunteer to update an outdated
database on a regularly basis.
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Establish an electronic system for
storing great websites and/or articles in your field.
Organize information in a format so that it is easily
accessible to colleagues.
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Create a system for organizing
electronic files in your organization or work unit.
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Establish a method for identifying
customer needs and/or problems. Analyze information and
present findings to others.
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Identify a persistent problem in the
organization that involves information sharing. Create a
system to collect, store, and retrieve information.
Establish a plan for maintaining and/or updating the
information collected.
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Volunteer to take on a project where
you must plan and manage the flow of information.
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Recommended Courses
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Additional Resource
Books
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Find It Online: The Complete Guide to
Online Research by A. M. Schien , P. Weber & M. Sandkey
(BRB Publications, Inc., 2002). In addition to citing
specific Web sites as sources of information on
particular topics, journalist and trainer Schein
presents much background material on the geography of
the Web, search strategies, managing and filtering
information, evaluating accuracy and authority, privacy,
and other matters.
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Working Knowledge by T. H. Davenport
& L. Prusak (Harvard Business School Publishing, 2002).
Describes the basics of the current knowledge movement
in the organizational world. Drawing on the examples of
over thirty firms, the authors explain what knowledge in
an organization is, how managers can analyze and measure
it, and what is the proper way to utilize it for greater
efficiency. They categorize knowledge work into the four
categories of accessing, generating, embedding, and
transferring, and then discuss the skills and processes
needed for successful organizational implementation.
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Extreme Searcher's Guide to Web
Search Engines: A Handbook for the Serious Searcher by
R. Hock (Information Today Inc., 2001) Covering all the
major search engines as well as several of the newest
and most exciting search tools, this revised edition
reveals their inner mechanics and architecture and
reveals their often-overlooked special features.
Designed to get immediate results to the user, this
guide offers techniques for effective Web search using
such search engines and directories as AltaVista,
Excite, HotBot, Profusion, Infoseek, Lycos, WebCrawler,
Google, MetaCrawler, Dogpile, and more. What to
realistically expect from each search engine is
discussed, and instructions for assembling queries and
using search engine add-ons are also included.
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The Invisible Web: Uncovering
Information Sources Search Engines Can't See by C.
Sherman & G. Price (Information Today Inc., 2001), Much
of the Web remains opaque to search engines (hence the
term "Invisible Web"). Sherman and Price have written
this detailed guide for computer literates who wish to
improve their Web navigation and novices who wish to
learn how the Internet works and become an accomplished
searcher, as well as less ambitious readers who will
love the long selection of sites with a complete
description and the address spelled out.
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Organizing Knowledge: An Introduction
to Managing Access to Information by J. E. Rowley & J.
Farrow (Ashgate Publishing Company, 2000).
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Managing and Using Information
Systems: A Strategic Approach by K. E. Pearlson, (John
Wiley & Sons, 2000). This book arms non-technical
managers with the insights and information they need to
become knowledgeable participants in their companies’
information system resources decision-making. Readers
also learn proven strategies for integrating IT with
business strategies to create competitive advantages for
their organizations.
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If Only We Knew What
We Know: The Transfer of Internal Knowledge and Best
Practice by C. O’Dell & Grayson (Simon & Schuster Adult
Publishing Group, 1998). C. O'Dell and J. Grayson
explain for the first time how applying the ideas of
Knowledge Management can help employers identify their
own internal best practices and share this intellectual
capital throughout their organizations. Knowledge
Management (KM) is a conscious strategy of getting the
right information to the right people at the right time
so they can take action and create value. Basing KM on
three major studies of best practices at one hundred
companies, the authors demonstrate how managers can
utilize a visual process model to actually transfer best
practices from one business unit of the organization to
another.
Website
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Behavioral-Based Interviewing Questions
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