Information tree: a model of information flow in complex organizations

A model of the information flow in information processing organizations is presented. The purpose of the model, called an information tree, is to capture the essential information activities that occur as an organization performs its tasks. An information processing organization transforms requests (inputs) into responses (output) through a set of procedures or processing rules. Information trees model such transformations as changes in the information state vector of various entities in the organization. The information state vector is a dynamic quantity similar in concept to the state of a system. The information-tree model has several analytic uses. One of its most important uses is an an aid to reorganizing offices as new technology is introduced. In particular, there is a strong structural linkage between the information-tree model and the problem of optimal control of dynamic systems. The linkage is demonstrated by use of dynamic programming to solve the reorganization problem using the information tree model