I read an article recently regarding dynamic management and the ability companies have to make better decisions in uncertain times.

Reference was made to ‘Just-in-time’ decision making and the impact on a company of making hasty decisions under time pressure or economic duress, potentially resulting in bad choices or excessive risks.  Would this not be less of a problem if managers/key decision makers had access to the correct Management Information?  It’s obvious but not that common.

Many managers are reluctant to make important and sometimes difficult decisions at the point when they can have the maximum impact on current stability and future performance.  Could a well-designed management information/performance-management system not alleviate this problem?

In my opinion, a company can’t predict the future but, having systems in place which enable forecasting and forward planning is surely an invaluable tool in the current uncertain market and in any possible future.

I’d be interested in what systems you use?  What works, what doesn’t? – I think things have moved on from the humble spreadsheet, or are we still using ‘gut feel’ and ‘retrospective management systems’.  Email me with your experiences, Sarah Price – ask@eguk.co.uk