INFORMATION

What we know about something is called information. Sometimes we get the information for ourselves and sometimes it is given to us. The information we get or are given tells us things we want to know but also leaves out things we would like to know.

Information-in (FI):

The information that is included; the information that has been put in; the information that has been given; what we know.

Information-out (FO):

The information that has been left out; the information that is missing; the information that we would like to know.

Doing an FI & FO means looking to see exactly what information has been put in and what has been left out.

Example:

"I shall catch the 9 a.m. flight to Chicago on Monday. Please meet me at the airport."

Information-in (FI): The information that is actually given includes:

  1. The person will be travelling to Chicago on Monday.
  2. The person will be outside of Chicago for at least some time on Monday.
  3. There is a flight that the person can take to Chicago (the person can get to an airport).
  4. There is a 9 a.m. flight.
  5. The person expects the flight to be operating.
  6. The person has decided to travel by plane.
Information-out (FO): The information that has been left out.
  1. Who the person is.
  2. The date of the Monday.
  3. Where the person will be travelling from.
  4. The airline that will be used.
  5. The actual time of arrival.
  6. To whom the message is addressed.
OPERATION
  1. Put down all the information that has been given (the information-in). Do an FI.
  2. Put down all the information that has been left out and that you would like to have (the information-out). Do an FO.
  3. Examine the information-in to see if you can find anything that will reduce the information-out.
  4. Do an FI & FO every time you are given information or when you have to collect it for yourself.