As the first of two papers delineating the design of Massachusetts' Management and Information System for Occupational Education (MISOE), these specific dimensions of MISOE structure and function are considered: (1) the distinction between economic and noneconomic analysis, (2) distinctions among census, sample, and other data, (3) the distinction between descriptive and simulative analysis, and (4) functional levels, management levels, and management scope. Information retrieval and analysis for MISOE necessitates: (1) translation of inquiries into analytic hypotheses, (2) the selection of pertinent MISOE subsystems, data types and levels, analytical operations, and models, (3) performing the analyses and interpreting their results, and (4) reporting the results to the inquiry source. Discussions of general analysis requirements and considerations precede the detailing of specific analytical models and algorithms for MISOE, such as multiple linear regression and factor analysis. Dynamic simulation, linear programing, and nonlinear programing models are discussed, in addition to specific noneconomic analysis factors to consider within and among MISOE's subsystems of static space. Technical reports on MISOE's research methodology are appended. Related documents are available in this issue as VT 018 600, VT 018 602, VT 018 809, and VT 018 810. (AG)