Information Monitoring

Information Monitoring -- Setting up ongoing procedures to collect and review information necessary to manage projects or departments; taking action to monitor or regulate processes, tasks, or activities; keeping track of delegated assignments and projects.

All managerial and some individual jobs need people who can track and control activities, assignments, tasks, and projects. Monitoring devices include direct observation, requests for written or oral reports, and feedback and reporting systems.

Information Monitoring is associated with Delegation because it deals with following up delegations to track effectiveness and determine where help is needed. However, Information Monitoring also applies to activities beyond those of employees. Effective information monitoring systems prevent surprises and letdowns because progress, trends, and changes are tracked, monitored, and reported.

Key Behaviors:

• Sets follow-up dates at the end of meetings or when delegating assignments.
• Publishes minutes of meetings, notes of discussions.
• Sends out reminders if deadlines aren't met.
• Uses a "tickler file" as a reminder that information is due.
• Reviews reports to find potential problems.

Key Words -- follow-up date, deadline, review

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