Citation

Mannes M. Eval. Program Plann. 1989; 12(1): 67-74.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0149-7189(89)90024-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This research utilized concept mapping to analyze and compare the process of planning to implement a specific social technology--known as family based intensive in-home services (FABIIHS)--which has demonstrated effectiveness in certain settings and is being adopted in two new sites (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the Rio Grande Corridor in New Mexico). In each site, planning teams were formed to identify the factors which needed to be dealt with in order to implement a FABIIHS project in their setting. Planning team members consisted of direct service agency workers at the managerial and case practice levels from Indian agencies, state, and non-profit organizations which were part of the community service network and which therefore had to be involved to successfully implement the social technology of FABIIHS. Approximately 35 people participated in the three-step process which involved: (a) the generation of a set of eighty-one implementation factors; (b) sorting the factors and rating each one for their importance and ability to influence; and (c) interpretation and naming of the concept map. On the basis of this project, concept mapping is seen as a potentially valuable process which can be helpful in planning for the implementation of new social technologies.