Core characteristics of MIS outputs: Which statement best reflects a fundamental characteristic of an effective Management Information System (MIS)?

Introduction / Context:
A Management Information System exists to serve users—managers, analysts, and operators—by providing relevant, timely, and actionable information. The design should start with user needs and decisions, not with technology for its own sake. This item probes that core philosophy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• An MIS should focus on usefulness and decision support.
• Scalability and adaptability are desirable, not inhibited.
• Data handling is a means to the end of decision-oriented information.

Concept / Approach:
“User-oriented information” emphasizes designing reports, dashboards, and alerts that match decision contexts, cognitive load, and timing. It implies requirements analysis, prototyping, and continuous improvement based on feedback.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Assess each option against MIS principles.Recognize that user orientation is essential; the system must answer real questions at the right time granularity.Reject options that suggest limiting growth or valuing raw data over decision-ready outputs.

Verification / Alternative check:
Frameworks such as information quality dimensions (relevance, timeliness, accuracy, completeness) are inherently user-focused and goal-driven.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Restrictions on system size: Opposite of best practice; systems should scale.
• Priority for data handling over decision outputs: Inverts priorities; information presentation and decision support are the purpose.
• All of the above / None: Do not match MIS best practices.

Common Pitfalls:
Letting data availability dictate reports rather than decision needs; building rigid systems that cannot evolve with the business.

Final Answer:
user-oriented information