Data has become fundamental in nearly every aspect of life. With the growing importance placed on data, managing data has become a central focus for every organisation, from billion-dollar tech companies to rural non-profits - this user-friendly guidebook targets primarily non-profit organisations.

Effective information management is crucial to successful programme implementation. Having worked for more than ten years as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) professional, I have noticed many (but not all) professionals working in non-profit organisations have faced difficulties in handling data because they miss the fundamental principle: not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. To overcome this, one should have a clear idea of what types of information are needed to make which decisions, which determines what data needs to be collected.

There is no magic formula for setting up a Management Information System (MIS) as it is an individually designed system that requires thorough needs analysis and specialised development. However, this guidebook approaches this concept from a different point of view. It lessens the complexity of developing an effective MIS, as well as explains how MIS works from planning through to the dissemination stage.

This guidebook takes readers through two parts. Part 1 of this guidebook describes the basic concepts of the MIS in "question and answer" form, whereas Part 2 explains the key steps involved in developing an MIS. The information is presented in a concise, direct-to-the-point, easy-reading format.