Discovering information behavior in sense making. I. Time and timing

This study used the methods of ethnography of communication to explore the information behavior in sense making of participants in the annual work planning of a unit of a public agency. To capture the dynamic time aspects of the work-planning task, the study continued over three annual iterations of this work-planning process. The term sense making is used to convey the participants' characterization of their information behavior. This article explores the sense making that took place from the point of view of time and timing. The analysis revealed broad patterns of repetitive action that structured the work-planning process and limited or focused future action. Data was repeatedly collected early in the annual process, requiring subsequent and repeated updating and verification. A computer database of project information focused data collection and processing on details that were never used and neglected others that required independent data collection, processing, and display. Such findings suggest the role that time plays in capturing meaning from data that has a time value. Understanding of the role of time suggests some possible approaches for improving information management and the design of information systems.