Computerizing Your Agency's Information System

by Bronson, Denise E.; Pelz, Donald Campbell; Trzcinski, Eileen

• ISBN13: 9780803926530
• ISBN10: 0803926537
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1988-12-01
• Publisher: Sage Pubns

Summary

What are the potential benefits from computerizing an agency? Will it improve a social service agency's ability to raise funds? How difficult will it be to integrate client service information with financial operations? Are there techniques for maximizing staff acceptance during the computer transition? Answering these and other important questions, Computerizing Your Agency's Information System takes a practical step-by-step approach to the complex job of introducing computers as a process of organizational change. This timely volume is organized in three broad phases of computerization (preparation, assessment, and implementation). At each stage the authors provide a series of specific exercises, checklists, and problem-solving activities which will allow an agency to conduct its own thorough assessment of its preparedness for stressful change and to tackle the process of computerization. Anecdotes from the experiences of four social service agencies are used to illustrate each aspect of the computerizing process. This very up-to-date guide is a must for directors and administrative staff of non-profit human service organizations who wish to insure staff acceptance--which in turn will contribute to effective operation of the system after it is computerized. It is also appropriate for a course dealing specifically with the computerization of information systems. "This book examines the issues involved in computerisation--it is a must for anyone embarking along that road for it points out problems and pitfalls as well as advantages." --Journal of the Institute of Health Education

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	9	(10)
Introduction	10	(5)
The Computerizing Process: A Preview	15	(13)
Overview of the Computerizing Process	16	(2)
Preliminary Precautions	18	(5)
Case Example: Midwest Human Services	23	(5)
Preparing for Computerization: Task Forces, Consultants, and Primary Analysts	28	(17)
Setting up an Agency Task Force	28	(4)
Deciding on an External Consultant	32	(4)
Mapping Your Current Information System	36	(3)
Selecting a Primary Analyst	39	(1)
Case Example: Preparing to Computerize at Midwest Human Services	40	(5)
Change Objectives and Their Benefits: What Do You Expect to Gain by Computerizing?	45	(15)
A Sampling of Benefits at Social Service Agencies	46	(6)
Identifying Change Objectives and Their Payoffs for Your Agency's Computerization Program	52	(6)
Case Example: Computerization Benefits and Objectives for MHS	58	(2)
Your Organization: How Ready Is It for Computerization?	60	(12)
Some Questions to Consider	61	(2)
Assessing Your Agency's Organizational Climate	63	(4)
Assessing Your Staff Resources	67	(2)
Case Example: Organizational Readiness at MHS	69	(3)
Your Information System: How Ready Is It for Computerization?	72	(17)
Assessing Your Information System: General Characteristics	73	(1)
Assessing Your Information System: Data Collection Forms	73	(8)
Preparing Your Current Information System for Computerizing	81	(2)
Other Factors to Consider	83	(1)
Case Example: Assessing the Current Information System at MHS	84	(5)
The Two Basic Decisions	89	(17)
Deciding Whether to Computerize	89	(2)
Deciding Where to Begin: Selecting the First Application	91	(8)
Case Example: The Two Basic Decisions at MHS	99	(7)
The First Application: Design and Installation	106	(14)
Designing the First Application	106	(5)
Installing the First Application	111	(3)
Case Example: Design and Installation at MHS	114	(6)
Monitoring Implementation and Evaluating the First Application	120	(7)
Implementation Monitoring	120	(3)
Evaluating the First Application	123	(1)
Case Example: Monitoring and Evaluation at MHS	124	(3)
Conclusion	127	(7)
Preparation	128	(1)
Assessment	129	(2)
Implementation	131	(1)
Further Reading	132	(1)
Final Notes	133	(1)
Epilogue	134	(11)
References	145	(2)
About the Authors	147