First Blog Assignment

1. Define the meaning of the terms data, information and knowledge according to Thomas Davenport's Information Hierarchy (1997).[1][2][3]

The generally accepted view sees data as simple facts that become information as data are combined into meaningful structures, which subsequently become knowledge as meaningful information is put into a context and when it can be used to make predictions. According to this view, data are a prerequisite for information, and information is a prerequisite for knowledge.

According to the Thomas Davenport's definitions follows:

Data: Data is a symbol. It is raw, which simply exists and has no significance beyond its existence (in and of itself). It can exist in any form, usable or not. It does not have meaning of itself. In computer parlance, a spreadsheet generally starts out by holding data.

Information: Information is data that are processed to be useful; provides answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when" questions. It has been given meaning by way of relational connection. This "meaning" can be useful, but does not have to be. In computer parlance, a relational database makes information from the data stored within it.

Knowledge: Knowledge is application of data and information; answers "how" questions. It is neither data nor information, though it is related to both, and the differences between these terms are often a matter of degree.

2. What are the characteristics of the above terms?[4]

Data - This is the lowest level of 'information'. The contents are usually not very useful as they are. Typically the data is unsorted, unformatted, not yet validated or redundancy tested and in some cases unreadable. In most cases it is not even available to the relevant people. It has to be transformed/post-processed before turned into something useful. Although data is important it is very rarely valuable in itself.

Information - Information is transformed data presented in a meaningful way for the user. The transformation usually involves post-processing of the data and is typically done through spreadsheets, queries to databases or presenting information through a GIS. Many organizations have realized the value of information, but are still struggling with how to manage it in an efficient way, mostly because there has not been flexible enough management tools available to support them.

Knowledge - Knowledge can be defined as the capability that creates actions from information. This is the highest level of 'information' and is the most user-friendly, because it speaks the same language as the user. Example: How to identify, analyze, solve and verify a high dropped call level in a certain BSC/cell. Who is best suited to solve such problem and when should it be solved.

3. Give and example for each term mentioned above.[2][4]

Data: Data represents a fact or statement of event without relation to other things.

Example: a)It is raining.

b)List of dropped call raw data (counters) from a BSC.

Information: Information embodies the understanding of a relationship of some sort, possibly cause and effect.

Example: a)The temperature dropped 15 degrees and then it started raining.

b)A dropped call performance management report from a BSC.

Knowledge represents a pattern that connects and generally provides a high level of predictability as to what is described or what will happen next.

Example: a)If the humidity is very high and the temperature drops substantially the atmospheres is often unlikely to be able to hold the moisture so it rains.
b) How to identify, analyze, solve and verify a high dropped call level in a certain BSC/cell. Who is best suited to solve such problem and when should it be solved.

4. Is there any possibility of a fourth level of Information Hierarchy? Elaborate.[2]

Yes, there is possibility of a fourth level of information Heierarchy.The fourth level is called Wisdom, which is an extrapolative and non-deterministic, non-probabilistic process. It calls upon all the previous levels of consciousness, and specifically upon special types of human programming (moral, ethical codes, etc.). It beckons to give us understanding about which there has previously been no understanding, and in doing so, goes far beyond understanding itself. It is the essence of philosophical probing. Unlike the previous there levels, it asks questions to which there is no (easily-achievable) answer, and in some cases, to which there can be no humanly-known answer period. Wisdom is therefore, the process by which we also discern, or judge, between right and wrong, good and bad.

The digram will show you follows:

Reference:

[1] Ilkka Tuomi(1999),Data is more than knowledge: implications of the reversed knowledge hierarchy for knowledge management and organizational memory (p103-117), M. E. Sharpe, Inc. Armonk, NY, USA, 1999, from the World Wide Web: http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1195842
[2] Gene Bellinger, Durval Castro, Anthony Mills(2004), "Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom". Retrieved January 15,2009, from the World Wide Web: http://www.systems-thinking.org/dikw/dikw.htm
[3] Lou Agosta(March 7, 1999), Answer the Intellectual Capital (Hardcover), Stewart demonstrates he has intellectual capital too, from the World Wide Web: http://www.amazon.com/Intellectual-Capital-Thomas-Stewart/dp/0385482280
[4] Peter Hansson, Knowledge Management (KM) Tools In Mobile Networks - Features, Benefits, Challenges and Characteristics, from the World Wide Web:http://www.eknowledgecenter.com/articles/1004/1004.htm
[5] Gene Bellinger, Durval Castro & Anthony Mills(2004) Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom, from the World Wide Web: http://blogmarks.net/marks/tag/system%2Btheory