Similarly, some valuable information might be online, but not contained in a database. Documents are one example. Many organizations maintain policy and procedures manuals, but save them as word processing files, not in databases. Similarly, visual data, such as product sketches and engineering drawings, are usually saved in graphics files and might not available through a database. Tacit information cannot be included in the inventory.
Tacit information includes ideas, brainstorms, thoughts, and unwritten plans for future activities.
Some users only store this information in their heads. For efficiency, only inventory information which makes a difference rather than all information in the organization. Figure 4 presents a preliminary list of items you might include in an information inventory. You Might Include in an Inventory of Information within an Organization After reviewing the inventory, identify possibilities for the information, such as information that everyone might use but is not readily available, and information that is widely used, but could be more efficiently designed. Labels Many disciplines use different terms to mean essentially the same things.