NCJ Number
54040
Date Published
1977
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE SUCCESS OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN RELATION TO THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF THE ORGANIZATION TRYING OUT AN INNOVATION AND THE CLARITY OF PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.
Abstract
THE DATA FOR THIS PAPER ARE DERIVED FROM AN EFFECTS ORIENTED STUDY OF PROACTIVE POLICE UNITS CARRIED OUT WITH THE MICHIGAN OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS. INNOVATIONS INCLUDE SATURATION PATROLS, REGIONALIZED DETECTIVE BUREAUS, AND SURVEILLANCE UNITS. RESEARCHERS ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRES TO VARIOUS LEVELS OF PERSONNEL--COMMANDERS, UNIT MEMBERS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND OFFICER SUPERVISORS--TO GATHER RESPONSES ON IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES SUCH AS INTRAORGANIZATIONAL AND INTERORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS, CONSENSUS AND INDIVIDUAL UTILIZATION AND EVALUATION OF THE PROJECTS, AND PERCEPTIONS OF PROJECT GOAL CLARITY. FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE FOLLOWING FACTORS GREATLY INFLUENCE THE RATE AND SUCCESS OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: (1) THE CLARITY OF PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, (2) THE DEGREE OF CONSENSUS AMONG ALL LEVELS OF PERSONNEL FOR PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, (3) THE COOPERATION OF ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION IN SHARING INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROJECT, AND (4) THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FUNDING SOURCE (THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THIS CASE) AND THE RECEIVING ORGANIZATION ON PROJECT GOALS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS IN FUTURE PROJECTS INCLUDE A SITE PREPARATION PHASE, THAT EARLY PHASES IN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION INVOLVE A GREATER EMPHASIS ON EVALUATION FOR THE SAKE OF SHAPING THE INNOVATION TO ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS, AND THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION STAGE ITSELF BE EVALUATED AS A WHOLE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)