
645
Introduction to Information Quality Applied to
Document and Knowledge Management
This chapter applies Information Quality principles to complex Information Types,
such as in Documents, Annual Reports, Catalogs, Policy and Procedure Manuals,
Financial Statements, Meeting Notices, and in visual representation of quantitative
information, such as statistical analysis of trends. While these are often called
“unstructured” information by systems personnel, procedure manuals and annual
reports are very “structured” documents. A more appropriate term for documents
and information representations are “Complex” Information Types. More than
90 percent of technical information is contained in Complex Information Types,
as opposed to data held in classic Databases and electronic Files.
Key terms:
Data: The representation of Facts in language, numbers, or symbols
Information: The meaning of Data in the form of a clear, precise Definition
and Presentation understandable to a Knowledge Worker
Knowledge: An understanding of the Significance of Information
Wisdom: Correct, optimized Actions or Decisions based on one’s Knowledge
C h a p t e r
14
Information Quality Applied to
Document & Knowledge Management:
“Words-to-Wisdom” and
“Ideas-to-Innovation”
“Avoid the Nice to Know — write the Need to Know”
John M. Smart
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