This users' guide provides a structured methodology to assist public agencies in using the revised "Standards for Foster Family Services Systems" as a self-assessment tool. The first section, which deals with data sources, lists the types of written information which agencies need to apply the standards as assessment criteria and indicates the job…

This document provides a brief overview of the many aspects of educational planning. The first chapter discusses the history of planning, possible definitions of planning, needs for flexibility, continued evaluation, and communication in successful planning, and the value of planning to educational leadership. Chapter two reviews 14 planning…

The methods, procedures, and results of a sensitivity test on NETMAN, a stochastic digital computer model designed to simulate the information collection and scoring control systems used in tactical warfare training exercises, are described. NETMAN enables its users to obtain information such as personnel requirements, training requirements, and…

Criteria to use in evaluating data processing efficiency, factors of file and record definitions, convenience of use for non-programmers, report generating capabilities, and customer support for generalized file management systems for use by the California junior colleges are indicated by the author. The purchase of such a system at the state…

This document describes some basic characteristics of decision-making that any formal management system should support: (1) the structure of an organization, (2) the decision patterns of an organization, and (3) the keys to good decisions. (Author)

Discusses five factors usually associated with the concept of project management which can facilitate the creation and operation of an effective production team, including (1) analyzing available resources, (2) defining roles of specialization and generalization, (3) establishing communication networks, (4) determining rules of team operation, and…

Describes a system for information management that provides Presidential advisors with the technical tools needed to make better use of information in decision making. (Author/MBR)

A successful management communication tool. (Author)

Describes the development and implementation of a comprehensive, results-oriented management system based on a participative management concept. (Author/IRT)

Successful adoption of zero-base budgeting (ZBB) will be greater than that of planning-programming-budgeting-systems (PPBS) because perceived problems inherent in PPBS are largely missing in ZBB; ZBB appears to fit current school district budgeting behavior; and ZBB seems to improve communication about the need for budget reform. (Author/IRT)

Proposes that the development of document-retrieval systems can benefit from the incorporation of conceptual modeling techniques, specifically classification, aggregation, and generalization. An array model is presented which has been designed especially for document retrieval. (Author/EM)

Assesses bibliographic databases as part of visionary text systems such as hypertext and scholars' workstations. Downloading is discussed in terms of the capability to search records and to maintain unique bibliographic descriptions, and relational database management systems, file managers, and text databases are reviewed as possible hosts for…

Discusses the strategies used to integrate evaluation research into the management of an organization. Also discusses the methodologies and managerial problems encountered in using evaluation research to change the policymaking procedures of public agencies. (RB)

This issue of ERCMExpress presents "The National Incident Management System" (NIMS) is the United States' uniform system for managing domestic incidents and is suitable for schools to implement in the four phases of their crisis planning: (1) prevention-mitigation; (2) preparedness; (4) recovery. The NIMS is a comprehensive approach to…

Reactions to a two-year pilot program of management by objectives in the Business Education Department at Utah State University were positive. (MS)