Journal of Systems Management articles from February 1992

Journal of Systems Management archives from February 1992

Managing the dispersed computing environment at Mapco Inc.
February 1, 1992... Mapco Inc. is a Fortune 500 diversified company based in Tulsa, OK. It has four major business segments: Mapco Transportation Inc., Mapco Coal Inc., Mapco Gas Products Inc. and Mapco Petroleum Inc. The company was formed in 1961. Data...

Implementing change at a British manufacturing company. (the New Cell Management scheme)
February 1, 1992... Change is a good thing! This is a statement accepted by many theorists and practitioners in organizations. But is this always the case? This article argues that any particular change can be compared to the taking of a drug such a heroin. In...

Continuous improvements to meet customer expectations. (improving office productivity)
February 1, 1992... Billions have been spent on office automation, but office productivity stagnates. Moreover, for more than 50 years, it has been clear that as quality improves, costs drop and productivity rises. The Ford Motor Company, as well as other...

What do users really think about CASE? (computer-aided software engineering)
February 1, 1992... Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools are a pervasive market commodity. After being purchased, these tools do not become mere additions to an orgnization's shelfware. Apparently they provide some net benefits. To implement...

How to get the job done. (systems analysts as project managers)(ViewPoint) (Column)
February 1, 1992... A new product comes out, or a new law, or a new company policy, and no one knows where to start to get everyone going. Who must be notified? What procedures will have to change? Who must be trained? What forms are needed? Did we forget...

Delivering a product your client really wants. (information systems project management)(First Person) (Column)
February 1, 1992... If you are like many information systems organizations, you have had projects that are lat and over budget, with many frustrating changes along the line. You did your best to develop what was wanted. When you finally delivered the product to...

Starting off behind the eight-ball. (MIS projects victimized by early estimates)(System Notes) (Column)
February 1, 1992... Dear Mike: You asked, "Here it is the first week of my new project and already the schedule program says we're two months behind. How can that be?" The answer is that you, your team and the project are the victim of the Early Estimate....

International travel. (planning overseas business trips)(Looking Back) (Column)
February 1, 1992... In one stage of my information systems career, I was involved in directing projects at overseas locations approximately 40% of my time. Usually, I would depart Sundary evening and return home the Friday of the second week. However, some trips...

Automating the AS/400 data center at Avery Dennison Corporation.
February 1, 1992... It seems like every computer publication that you pick up today contains an article on automating the data center. Most of them make it sound like achieving this unattended environment is a really easy thing to do. All you have to do is...

Achieving zero-defect service through self-directed teams. (Dana Computer Services' implementation of self-directed work teams)
February 1, 1992... As the new person on the block, my first task as manager of Dana Computer Services (DCS) was to become acquainted with my staff. It can take years to establish a productive, comfortable working team, and I wanted to find a way to accelerate...

Using simulation technology in organizational development.
February 1, 1992... Simulation has become a prevalent tool used in the development of everything from data networks to combat tactics. Few corporations desiring to remain competitive in the fast-moving electronics or defense industries would attempt to avoid...

EDI implementation at PPG Industries. (electronic data interchange)
February 1, 1992... PPG Industries, as all business, depends on a flow of documents between individual companies. This flow includes basic documents such as purchase orders, invoices and shipping notices. The creation, handling and distribution of these...