MIS development responsibility: Who should develop a Management Information System so that it aligns with business needs and is technically sound?

Introduction / Context:
Successful MIS implementations blend business insight with technical execution. Managers understand goals, KPIs, and processes; information specialists (analysts, engineers) translate those needs into data models, pipelines, and applications. Collaboration ensures usability, adoption, and maintainability of the resulting system and reports.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Managers own business outcomes and define requirements.
• Information specialists design and implement technical solutions.
• Both perspectives are necessary for a fit-for-purpose MIS.

Concept / Approach:
MIS development should be a joint effort. Managers articulate decision needs, exceptions, and cadence; information specialists propose architectures, integrate data, and enforce governance. This partnership avoids systems that are technically elegant yet irrelevant, or business-friendly yet technically fragile. It also accelerates iterative improvements via feedback loops and prototypes.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Methodologies like Agile BI and product analytics emphasize product owners (business) partnering with engineering to deliver value incrementally.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Either group alone yields gaps—business-only lacks technical rigor; tech-only may miss business relevance.

Common Pitfalls:
Throwing requirements over the wall; inadequate user testing; failing to embed governance early.

Final Answer:
both (a) and (b)