Implementing and Managing Change: A Guide for Assessing Information Technology.

A framework for assessing the implementation and impact of office automation (OA) technology within shore-based facilities of the U.S. Navy is provided. Following a list of the assumptions guiding the evaluation plan, a model for data collection is presented which is based on the perspective of a work group, i.e., a small number of individuals who interact regularly. Several topics relating to measurement strategy are discussed: (1) previous efforts to assess the impact of OA; (2) sources of data; (3) question construction and format for OA assessment; (4) the magnitude of impact of OA; (5) value judgments about change; and (6) measuring productivity. Data to be gathered about implementation, activity within work groups, uses of technology, immediate impact of work group outputs, changes in the role and adaptability of work groups, and remote impact are specified. The timing of data collection and sampling strategies are considered, and the report concludes with a discussion of the differences in emphasis in evaluation of networking and stand-alone workstations. The appendix provides examples of questions that can be used in OA assessment. (12 references). (MES)