Organizations, like people, must be adept information users. Regardless of the size and makeup of your team, you have to do these things well:

• analyze a situation and identify the problems it contains
• find, assess, and use information and technical tools to address the problems
• produce and communicate a usable product
• evaluate the results
• manage a project that probably involves many people from more than one organization

No organization has the perfect mix of skills, abilities, and experiences for every situation. Start by giving assignments to people with the proper skills to carry them out. Or assign activities to those who have the aptitude, desire, and responsibility to develop the necessary skills. Additional skills can be acquired through training, mentoring, brokering, contracting, or outsourcing.