Nutzinformation

Nutzinformation is a term used in information science to denote information that directly supports a user’s goal by being relevant and actionable. It contrasts with data that is accurate but not immediately useful for decision-making or action.

Etymology and scope: The compound derives from nutzen (to use) and information. In German-language literature, the term is used to discuss information quality, user experience, and decision support. It is not a universally standardized metric; its definition can vary by context.

Characteristics: Nutzinformation is evaluated by relevance to a task, timeliness, clarity, and actionability. It is information that reduces uncertainty concerning a decision or action, and it is typically tailored to a specific user, domain, or scenario.

Applications: In practice, the concept is used in the design of dashboards, manuals, alerts, and user interfaces. Systems aim to maximize Nutzinformation by filtering out noise, highlighting key data, and providing guidance on next steps or consequences of choices.

Evaluation: Assessing Nutzinformation often involves user-centered methods such as task-based studies, usability testing, and relevance judgments. Because it depends on user goals and context, assessments can be subjective and vary across situations.

See also: information usefulness, relevance, utility, decision support systems.