Understanding Mine Action Information Management

The practice of information management in mine action is similar to information management in other fields. Information managers collect, process and analyse information to support operational activities, planning and reporting. Information management is not an end in itself; rather, it is an activity that supports the primary goal of mine action: reducing the impact of hazards on civilian populations.

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Hazards and Processes

In mine action information management, the primary object or focus is a hazard, whether it is a minefield, UXO spot or other ERW contamination, and the activities or processes undertaken to reduce or eliminate the hazard. Other important objects and activities include accidents, victims, quality management and mine risk education activities. In certain programmes, these elements may take a more prominent role, with IMSMA^NG supporting them equally well. However, the traditional focus of information management in mine action is on hazards and the processes done to eliminate them.

The process of clearing hazards follows an operational workflow that is reflected in information management as a set of business rules. As each step in the clearance process is completed, attributes of the hazard change so that eventually the hazard is cleared. It is the role of information management to collect information about each step and accurately report the status and attributes of each hazard as it makes its way through the workflow to assist in operational activities such as planning, tasking and clearance operations. Whether a programme is implementing a land release model for hazard clearance or a risk reduction model, the concepts are the same. Hazards are reduced and changed over time by various processes. To implement this effectively in IMSMA^NG, information managers must first fully understand the workflow and business rules in use in their programmes.

Information Management Needs Assessment

Before installing IMSMA^NG, information managers should have an understanding of the information management needs of their programmes and the workflows that are used. Then they can begin designing the information workflow in IMSMA^NG to meet those needs. The table below lists the information management concepts to review along with the possible resources that may be available to help assess the needs.

Information Management Needs Assessment

Information Management Concept	Possible Resources
Sources of Information Reports collected from mine action actors Existing databases	Data collection forms: Programs often have existing data collection forms or spreadsheets that describe what information must be collected from operators or key stakeholders. These forms can serve as the basis for data collection forms in IMSMANG. It is important, however, to critically assess the information provided by these forms since existing forms may not accurately reflect current data collection needs and may have more information than necessary. Information systems: Whether databases, spreadsheets or GIS, existing information systems can provide a key source of information requirements for IMSMANG. Often, these information systems document the specific information the programs must collect and report on and so serve as a valuable source for detailing information needs. Information consumers: It is important to collect information about decisions made in mine action programs by interviewing consumers of information. Often, existing data collection forms, reports and systems do not fully represent the needs of the consumers or users of this information. While implementing IMSMANG, it is an ideal time to readdress the needs of these information users to determine how additional requirements can easily be met using IMSMANG.
Key decisions requiring information Prioritizing Tasking Operations and planning	Mine action processes: Assessing existing and planned processes and their required information is a key source of information for this activity and allows the IMSMANG system to be customized to accurately support these processes. It is important, however, that these processes map to the actual operational needs of the mine action programme and are not created without relating to operational needs.
Output reports Monthly progress reports Statistical reports Treaty obligations	Reports: Donor reports, monthly or quarterly reports, statistical reports, reports supporting the Ottawa convention and other reports provide details about information that must be collected and managed in IMSMANG.

Workflows and Business Rules

Rather than establishing one workflow that all programmes must use, IMSMA^NG allows information managers to establish their own programme-appropriate workflows and business rules to better support their specific needs. To document their programme-specific workflows, information managers describe the processes undertaken on each object in IMSMA^NG and the outputs or products from the processes. Typically, these workflows relate to the various categories of hazards and hazard reductions, but they can also be applied to other IMSMA^NG items as appropriate.

During this step, information managers map the process that each hazard goes through as it is cleared or its impact is otherwise reduced. Using a combination of the relevant hazard types, status values and relationships, information managers design an information workflow that will be implemented as standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data entry and analysis. Some programmes may have only one process for all categories of hazards while other programmes may have three or more processes.

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