You found our list of the best information management books.
Information management books are publications that provide effective data management strategies within organizations. Examples include Sorting Things Out by Geoffrey C. Bowker and Susan Leigh Star and The AI Advantage by Thomas H. Davenport. The purpose of these books is to help individuals and organizations achieve their objectives by improving data gathering, organization, and analysis.
These books are similar to business strategy books, business books, communication books, and office management books. These resources can help share tips on online collaboration software or internal communication tools.
This list includes:
- product information management books
- management information system reference books
- information technology management books
- information security management books
Let’s get started!
List of information management books
Books about information management can help organizations leverage data and achieve strategic objectives. From Intelligent Automation by Pascal Bornet to Big data @ work by Thomas H. Davenport, here is a list of the best publications with notable information management lessons.
1. The Science of Managing Our Digital Stuff by Ofer Bergman and Steve Whittaker
The Science of Managing Our Digital Stuff is a fantastic choice of management information system reference books. The authors discuss the ever-growing collection of personal digital data, including photographs, documents, videos, PowerPoint presentations, and emails. Ofer Bergman and Steve Whittaker argue that accessing this information requires the design of data systems. The authors advise individuals to use hierarchical folders for personal digital organizing. The book also recommends data management methods that allow multiple categorizations, such as tags and custom filing systems. Readers will also get vital tips on password protection, backing up information, and the dangers of free digital services.
Notable quote: “Despite apparent technology improvements, we still forget to deal with vital actionable items, find it hard to judge the value of new information, keep large amounts of information of questionable value, and fail to retrieve important information that we have made stringent efforts to organize.”
Read The Science of Managing Our Digital Stuff.
2. Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
In the current computer age, information management starts with organizing digital life. Tiago Forte argues that despite the fast access to the world’s knowledge, individuals often struggle with an influx of data. The author encourages individuals to work past the habits of recitation and memorization and instead rely on digital avenues to store data. Building a Second Brain shows how readers can create a personal system for knowledge assessment and management. The author brings in a practical framework that discusses capturing, organizing, distilling, and expressing data. Building a Second Brain is a great resource for workers, especially those dealing with direct reports.
Notable quote: “Instead of organizing ideas according to where they come from, I recommend organizing them according to where they are going—specifically, the outcomes that they can help you realize.”
Read Building a Second Brain.
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3. Everything Is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder by David Weinberger
Everything is Miscellaneous discusses the effects of digital information in the navigation and utilization of data. The author talks about replacing data storage methods from traditional to new and innovative ways. Everything Is Miscellaneous uses simple examples to show the variance in data management methods. For instance, the author illustrates the difference that the placement of items in an actual retail store, library, and digital spaces makes in information management.
Notable quote: “Citizens are starting not to excuse political candidates who have websites that do nothing but throw virtual confetti.”
Read Everything Is Miscellaneous.
4. Sorting Things Out: Classification and Its Consequences by Geoffrey C. Bowker and Susan Leigh Star
Sorting Things Out is one of the best books for individuals who want to learn the art of building data structures. The book details the importance of data classification systems. Geoffrey C. Bowker and Susan Leigh Star state that these systems ease data sharing, thus helping shape individuals’ views of the world. The authors also touch on boundaries surrounding data classification schemes, work practices, historical practices, and bureaucracy. Sorting Things Out is also an excellent read for individuals in data standardization, classification, and modeling sectors.
Notable quote: “In general, classificatory work practices involve politics, kinds of both prototypical and Aristotelian classifications, and deletion of the practices in the production of the final formal record.”
Read Sorting Things Out.
5. Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity by Sander van der Linden
Foolproof addresses conspiracy theories, fake news, and misleading headlines that misinform the public. Sander van der Linden refers to misinformation as a defining problem in the internet age. The author also argues that the situation threatens the cultivation of trusting relationships and the integrity of our democracies. Foolproof explains why the human brain is vulnerable to misinformation and provides tactics individuals can use to protect themselves.
Notable quote: “Whereas lies and fake news tend to be simple and sticky, science is often presented as nuanced and complex.”
Read Foolproof.
6. Intelligent Automation: Learn how to harness Artificial Intelligence to boost business & make our world more human by Pascal Bornet, Ian Barkin, and Jochen Wirtz
Readers will not go wrong with Intelligence Automation as their choice of information technology management books. The authors dive into the changing landscape in the artificial intelligence sector based on a managerial perspective. Intelligent Automation includes ways that AI enables the creation of a better world and how businesses can leverage the changes. The authors also state how each component contributes to value, from vision to execution and learning. In addition, the publication provides tips for implementing AI in entities and challenges that businesses could face in the implementation stages.
Notable quote: “All businesses are going digital: the winners will be those who do so the quickest and to the greatest extent. It may be informed speculation to say the landscape of companies will change dramatically over the next few decades. Still, one thing is sure: the winners—even the survivors—will be highly automated, with the bare minimum of human involvement.”
Read Intelligent Automation.
7. The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload by Daniel J. Levitin
As the information age drowns the world in mass data, Daniel J. Levitin strives to help individuals manage this problem. The author argues that systems expect individuals to make more decisions faster. Yet, managing even the small details is an issue, with the mass population forgetting details like appointments or their reading glasses. The Organized Mind helps individuals manage information flow and navigate the flood of data.
Notable quote: “The most fundamental principle of the organized mind, the one most critical to keeping us from forgetting or losing things, is to shift the burden of organizing from our brains to the external world.”
Read The Organized Mind.
8. The AI Advantage: How to Put the Artificial Intelligence Revolution to Work by Thomas H. Davenport
If you are looking for books on product management, then The AI Advantage is an excellent choice. Thomas H. Davenport describes ways businesses can leverage available technologies and gain a competitive advantage. The book explains how AI can improve products and processes. The author argues that companies will get better results by pairing smart machines with smart humans instead of drastically reducing human resources. Readers will also get insights into major AI technologies that large companies like Google and Amazon use.
Notable quote: “The businesses and organizations that succeed with AI will be those that invest steadily, rise above the hype, make a good match between their business problems and the capabilities of AI, and take the long view.”
Read The AI Advantage.
9. The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson
If you want to learn about the history of the internet and its contribution toward information management in this day and age, then The Innovators is an excellent pick. The author discusses the digital revolution and the talents guiding this stage. In addition, readers will also learn practical lessons from these individuals’ successes and failures. Some of the personalities Walter Isaacson explores include Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Doug Engelbart.
Notable quote: “But the main lesson to draw from the birth of computers is that innovation is usually a group effort, involving collaboration between visionaries and engineers and that creativity comes from drawing on many sources.”
Read The Innovators.
10. Analytics in Healthcare and the Life Sciences: Strategies, Implementation Methods, and Best Practices by Thomas H. Davenport and Dwight McNeill
Analytics in Healthcare and the Life Sciences is a great reference for information system management. The authors focus on helping businesses improve costs, outcomes, and efficacy by leveraging information. Analytics in Healthcare and the Life Sciences provides practical strategies, frameworks, and tactics applicable across diverse sectors. Readers will learn how leading entities organize and execute analytics through in-depth case studies. In addition, the book includes insights from the International Institute for Analytics team of practitioners and researchers.
Notable quote: “In an attempt to develop a tool to help organizations begin to identify these errors, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) developed a global trigger tool (GTT). Briefly, the GTT provides a standard methodology for reviewing patient records for triggers, or indicators, of potential adverse events.”
Read Analytics in Healthcare and the Life Sciences.
11. The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford
The Phoenix Project is a fictional tale that delves into the world of information technology. The book discusses IT operations drawbacks, from vulnerabilities to server crashes to application freezes. The authors then provide tactics professionals can use to protect themselves, consumers, and data. With a straightforward narrative, The Phoenix Project is an excellent publication for individuals beginning their information management careers.
Notable quote: “Being able to take needless work out of the system is more important than being able to put more work into the system.”
Read The Phoenix Project.
12. Big data @ work: dispelling the myths, uncovering the opportunities by Thomas H. Davenport
Big data @ work is a top pick of product information management books. The publication lays out information management insights in clear language. The author explains what big data means before stating why every individual must learn about information management. Thomas H. Davenport covers the basics of big data from a consumer, technical, and management perspective. Readers will learn about the opportunities and costs of big data and why successful companies invest heavily in information management. In addition, the publication equips business owners with tips for implementing big data projects. Finally, the book has examples that show how global entities leverage data to improve products, decisions, and services.
Notable quote: “One other problem is that too many people—and vendors in particular—are already using big data to mean any use of analytics, or in extreme cases even reporting and conventional business intelligence.”
Read Big data @ work.
13. Keeping Up with the Quants: Your Guide to Understanding and Using Analytics by Thomas H. Davenport and Jinho Kim
Keeping Up with the Quants is an excellent guide on information management. The authors argue that every individual needs data analytical skills, no matter the interests, industry, or type of corporation. Keeping Up with the Quants reinstates that individuals must be conversant with analytical methods and terminologies to work with quantitative information. Some of the lessons the authors provide include gathering data, analyzing information, and developing quantitative thinking. In addition, readers will get insights into interpreting and communicating analytical results.
Notable quote: “Consumer marketing, with myriad customer touchpoints and clickstreams, is already a big data problem. Google has even described its self-driving car as a big-data project.”
Read Keeping Up with the Quants.
14. Information, Technology, and Innovation: Resources for Growth in a Connected World by John M. Jordan
Information, Technology, and Innovation details the impact of the latest information management and technology trends on business models and innovation globally. John Jordan predicts a drastic change in analytics and visualization owing to new technology architectures. The author explains the impact of technology trends on human behavior, thus shifting supply chains, marketing, and customer service. Information, Technology, and Innovation also includes case studies that profile innovative business models that exploit big data trends.
Notable quote: “People buy features and performance.”
Read Information, Technology, and Innovation.
15. The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook: Discovering and Exploiting Security Flaws by Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto
Individuals looking for information on security management can learn a lot from The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook. Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto help readers discover and exploit security flaws across internet applications. The resource explains security vulnerabilities with code extracts, real-world examples, and screenshots. In addition, the authors address exploiting logic flaws, bypassing login mechanisms, and compromising other users. The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook combines computerized forces and virtues of human intelligence to guide readers.
Notable quote: “The principal areas of vulnerability arise from defects in how tokens are generated, enabling an attacker to guess the tokens issued to other users, and defects in how tokens are subsequently handled, enabling an attacker to capture other users’ tokens.”
Read The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook.
16. All-in On AI: How Smart Companies Win Big with Artificial Intelligence by Thomas H. Davenport and Nitin Mittal
All-in On AI details ways successful organizations leverage artificial intelligence to simplify business operations and enhance information protection. Thomas H. Davenport and Nitin Mittal explain how these entities are transforming their strategies, culture, talents, and customer relationships. The authors argue that, as a result, AI-fueled companies have better business models, provide better products and services, and maintain an optimal profit margin in the long run. All-in On AI provides strategies for entities to support their goals and objectives and capitalize on data-driven decisions.
Notable quote: “We refer to these companies —all-in approaches in multiple ways —’AI-fueled,’ ‘AI-powered,’ ‘AI-enabled,’ etc. The common thread is that they are at the far end of the scale in their spending, planning, strategizing, implementing, and changing with regard to AI technology.”
Read All-in On AI.
17. The Art of Intrusion: The Real Stories Behind the Exploits of Hackers, Intruders and Deceivers by Kevin D. Mitnick and William L. Simon
As data protection becomes vital to the internet age, The Art of Intrusion is a fantastic choice of information security management books. Kevin Mitnick, a renowned former computer hacker, now ensures that businesses and governments know how to combat these crimes. Mitnick and Simon discuss cybervandals, data thieves, and malicious computer intruders. The authors use fictional case studies to illustrate how hackers use social engineering to compromise even the most secure computer systems. The Art of Intrusion also includes real-life stories of hacking attempts and how organizations should combat these occurrences. The publication is a must read for programmers and software engineers.
Notable quote: “Every time [some software engineer] says, ‘Nobody will go to the trouble of doing that,’ there’s some kid in Finland who will go to the trouble.”
Read The Art of Intrusion.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, effective information management is essential for individuals and organizations alike. Books on information management provide readers with a wealth of knowledge, best practices, and strategies for secure, efficient, and effective information management. Reading these publications can help individuals improve their information management skills and stay current with the latest trends and developments in the field. Information management publications can also be pivotal for individuals who want to align information management practices with broader organizational objectives.
Next, check out our list of operations management books, people analytics books, and project management books.
Grace He