MANAGEMENT INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURAL-RESEARCH - ASIAN EXPERIENCE

Information is a crucial resource in decision-making. Structured information systems are required to support decision-making processes in complex organizations. This article discusses an information system for agricultural research organizations known as INFORM. This system aims to provide research managers and scientists with information essential for management such as planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation. The INFORM system integrates information on research personnel, programmes and finances in a single framework. Researchers' time allocated to specific research and non-research activities is the basis for estimating total resource allocations. INFORM is a flexible system with limited data requirements, which uses simple software on standard personal computers. Development of INFORM in Asia is outlined in this paper, following a discussion of principles and procedures. The final sections of the article present examples of results that can be obtained with INFORM and discuss important lessons and issues.