==Introduction==__NOEDITSECTION__'''Understanding Mine Action Information Management''' is a prerequisite to be a good information manager in a Mine Action program. The practice of information management in mine action is similar to information management in any other domain. Information managers oversee the collection, processing and analysis of information to support decision making in operational activities and planning and reporting. Information management is not an end in itself. Although archiving is one of the roles of information management, it is definitely not the central role. Rather, information management is an activity that enables evidence-based decision making and increases transparency and accountability. Good information management is a pre-requisite to an effective and efficient mine action organisation.
The practice of ==Objects and Processes==__NOEDITSECTION__In mine action information management in mine action , the primary object or focus is similar contaminated land and the activities or processes undertaken to information management reduce or eliminate the contamination in other fieldsa process called [http://www. Information managers collect, process gichd.org/operations/land-release-and analyse information to support -operational activities-efficiency/overview/ land release]. Other important objects and processes include [[Accident Summary Window | Accidents]], [[Victim Summary Window | Victims]], [[Assistance Summary Window | Assistance]], planning [[QM Summary Window | Quality Management]] and reporting[[Education Summary Window | Risk education]]. Information management Although it is not an end in itself; ratherthe standard situation, it is an activity that supports these elements may sometimes take the prominent role from the primary goal of land release process in some mine action: reducing the impact of hazards on civilian populationsprogrammes.
==Objects 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, the status of the hazard changes so that the hazard eventually is cleared. It is the role of information management to collect information about each step and Processes==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 {{IMSMANG}}, information managers must first fully understand the workflow and business rules in use in their programmes.
In mine action information ==Information managementneeds assessment==__NOEDITSECTION__Before setting up {{IMSMANG}}, information managers should have an understanding of the primary [[object]] or focus is a hazard, whether it is a minefield, UXO spot or other ERW contamination, information management needs of their programmes and the activities or [[processes]] undertaken workflows that are used. Then they can begin designing the information workflow in {{IMSMANG}} to reduce or eliminate the hazardmeet those needs. 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<sup>NG</sup> supporting them equally well. However, The table below lists the traditional focus of information management in mine action is on hazards and concepts to review along with the processes done possible resources that may be available to eliminate themhelp assess the needs.
The process of clearing hazards follows an operational workflow {| class="wikitable"!width =130px|IM cycle step! Possible Resources|-| '''Data collection'''* 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 reflected in 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 management as systems can provide a set key source of business rulesinformation requirements for {{IMSMANG}}. As each step in Often, these information systems document the clearance process is completed, attributes of specific information the hazard change programs must collect and report on and so that eventually the hazard is clearedserve as a valuable source for detailing information needs. * '''Information consumers''': It is the role of information management important to collect information about each step decisions made in mine action programs by interviewing consumers of information. Often, existing data collection forms, reports and accurately report systems do not fully represent the needs of the status and attributes consumers or users of each hazard as this information. While implementing {{IMSMANG}}, it makes its way through is an ideal time to readdress the workflow needs of these information users to assist in operational activities such as determine how additional requirements can easily be met using {{IMSMANG}}.|-| '''Information use'''* Prioritising* Tasking* Operations and planning, tasking | '''Mine action processes''': Assessing existing and planned processes and clearance operations. Whether a programme their required information is implementing a land release model key source of information for hazard clearance or a risk reduction modelthis activity and allows the {{IMSMANG}} system to be customised to accurately support these processes. It is important, however, that these processes correspond to the concepts are actual operational needs of the samemine action programme. Hazards are reduced |-| '''Information dissemination'''* Monthly progress reports* Statistical reports* Treaty obligations reports| '''Reports''': Donor reports, monthly or quarterly reports, statistical reports, reports supporting the Ottawa convention and changed over time by various processes. To implement this effectively in IMSMA<sup>NG</sup>, other reports provide details about information managers that must first fully understand the workflow be collected and business rules in use managed in their programmes{{IMSMANG}}.|}
==Information Management Needs Assessment== Before installing IMSMA<sup>NG</sup>, 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<sup>NG</sup> 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. [[ImageCategory:Understanding Mine Action Information Management - Needs Assessment.png|center|''Needs Assessment'']]<div align="center">''Information Management Needs Assessment''</div> ===IMSMA Workflows and Business Rules=== Rather than establishing one workflow that all programmes must use, IMSMA<sup>NG</sup> 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<sup>NG</sup> 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<sup>NG</sup> 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. See [[Understanding IMSMA Information ModelNAA]] for more information. [[Image:Understanding Mine Action {{NavBox Information Management - Documenting Workflows and Business Rulest.png|center|''Documenting Workflows and Business Rules'']]<div align="center">''Documenting Workflows and Business Rules''</div>}}
