Look at the goals you are trying to achieve

Decide how you can achieve these goals – what decisions do you have to make?

Decide on the information required to make these decisions:

	What is the minimum needed? – keep it simple but sufficient to enable the decision to be made, without asking for more!
	When is it needed?
	What is the accuracy necessary, or possible?

Consider what proportion of the information you receive refers to the past.  Since decisions can only affect the future, if it’s more than 20% it’s probably too much. 

Compare what you get, with what you need, and stop the unnecessary information getting to you.

When working with information of varying accuracy, start with the most accurate first

If you receive information and are expected to query unusual figures, set limits and ask the provider to give only information outside those limits – and an explanation of action being taken by them, or expected of you.

If you provide information, try and get the recipient to read this guide, or at least complete the form designed to draw out the information needed.

 If you design systems, use the example form to find out what your users really need by concentrating on their objectives and related decisions.  If you are lucky they will know them.