Which of the following is a characteristic of management information systems (MIS)?

Management Information Systems (MIS) are designed to supply managers with the necessary data to support decision-making processes, particularly at the tactical level. Tactical decision-making involves medium-range planning and the implementation of strategies that translate into operational actions. MIS streamlines data from various sources, presenting it in a format that aids managers in evaluating performance, forecasting outcomes, and effectively allocating resources.

While the other characteristics mentioned, such as focusing on specific tasks (which leans towards automation tools) or being designed for operational efficiency (typically associated with operational systems), are relevant in the broader context of information systems, they do not encapsulate the primary function of MIS as thoroughly as the chosen answer. MIS is fundamentally about consolidating information to inform and support mid-level management decisions, distinguishing it from systems focused purely on operational tasks or detailed analytics.