Identifying and Formulating Information Requirements Based on Semantic Theories of Information

Difficulties in the identification and formulation of information requirements and data structures for an information system are well known. In this paper we will argue that one of the causes of these difficulties lies with the lack of systematic ways to identify and formulate information flows within activities. In this paper, we will outline and describe a mechanism for identifying and formulating required information systematically with philosophical foundation and mathematical rigor. Then we will describe how required information can be formulated by using the concept 'situation' and a relationship between situations in two examples. The conclusion is that semantic theories of information are useful and insightful for elaborating an activity model, revealing the situations for an activity and relationships among situations, and formulating required information and raw data for information systems design.