Information is data (singular or plural) that has been organised, aggregated, filtered and given context via structure and/or relationships.

Information can have many represented through a number of different formats including but not limited to paper reports, electronic reports, views within a database, through an application, etc.


Information becomes knowledge when it is viewed through the "lens" of the person or organisation and therefore can be communicated and acted upon by people.


Within an organisational environment we talk around the following explicit hierarchy:

• Data
• Information
  
• Knowledge

Examples

The number '3' is data. Having the context of it being a dollar value and part of a customers bill means it is now information.