On the SIGARRA information system

    1. Information Area
    2. Producers of Information
        2.1 Information Manager
    3. Information Readers
    4. Information Resources

1. Information Area

The methodology followed in the IS organization required detailed knowledge of the information space, given the diversity of players and contents. The system could not exist in its form without understanding the role and responsibility of each player in each content. The area of information in which the IS system is built is three-dimensional, defined by the following vectors:

1. producers of information;
2. information readers;
3. information resources.

2. Producers of Information

A model in which the production of information is channelled exclusively to a data loading Central Service, although it may be more effective at first, quickly leads to delays and errors that reduce the usefulness of the system, due to the gap between those responsible for the information and its effective loading.

It is desirable to draw the maintenance of information systems to the respective producers, so that the people involved feel that resources are part of them and include them in their work routines.

It is therefore necessary to clearly define criteria and procedures to identify and assign responsibilities to the system’s producers of information. Each producer is responsible for correcting and updating their own information, thus assuming the role of information manager for the respective resources.

2.1 Information Manager

The Information Manager for the system as a whole is usually someone close to the governing bodies of the institution. Indeed, the IM must have a thorough knowledge of the organisational structure, mission, vision and objectives of the institution, in addition to knowledge on the actual SIGARRA system. Specific knowledge in Computing areas is not essential.

The IM should ensure:

1. the organization of contents in the SIGARRA system;
2. the identification of producers of information;
3. the support to the producers of information;
4. the dissemination of internal information in the SIGARRA system;
5. good practices in the use of the system;
6. the collaboration for validating change specifications or new projects to be undertaken;
7. the collaboration in the production of guides, manuals and other support documents to the SIGARRA system for normal computer users.

The Information Managers of each Organic Unit are appointed by their governing bodies.

3. Information Readers

Information readers, to whom the IS is intended, include the entire academic community of the institution, the community at large in the policy areas of the institution to which it relates, and the general public.

In the academic community, there are different levels of readers: directors of governing bodies, department chairs, course directors, heads of department, etc., to which correspond different levels of access to the information resources. The emphasis is on providing the information, but some of the features are restricted.

To access the resources, users may need credentials to authenticate in the system.

All students of the U.Porto receive, at the time of registration in one of the faculties, the credentials for access to the information system of their faculty - the SIGARRA system.

Members of teaching, research and non-teaching staff are also given access credentials to the SIGARRA system of the institution where they will work.

These credentials consist of:

Username (login) – example lcf08156
Password

Credentials are non-transferable. Each person is responsible for actions taken with their credentials.

4. Information Resources

Information resources include a wide range of information types and can integrate multiple sources and repositories, including databases and Internet components.

Most resources are subdivided into modules, which are interconnected in many ways.