From reporting system to MIS: getting there

Human services agencies are closer than ever to fulfillment of their authoritative role. A critical step is transformation of the Reporting System to a Management Information System. This creates the information structure and mind set necessary to generate new, data-based ideas. There are too many obstacles to traditional MIS development approaches in agencies, however. New strategies such as selective use of end-user technology and prototyping can provide methods that overcome these obstacles.