| Popis: |
THE LENGTH OF TIME IN WEEKS required for the acceptance and internalization of a new idea in a government bureaucracy varies as T = 2 + 2 (n 3)2 in which n is the number of individuals or discrete organizational elements involved in agreeing upon the fact and form of the idea and required for its adoption. While attending a small, intimate discussion involving some 30 people, relating to Bureau of the Budget Bulletin 68-9 on PPBS, my mind wandered to the fact that a previous bulletin on the same subject, some eight months old, had not yet been understood by the participants and accepted for usage; yet, all of us were in the process of shifting gears to adapt to new instructions. This brief nonarticle is not to discuss the permutations of PPBS documents, but to address lightly, but most seriously, the infallibility of the stated law. You each will immediately recognize three mathematical phenomena regarding the expressed relationships. The first is that even at n = 1, there is considerable time required to decide upon and internalize a new idea or new program. One and one-half months is used to mull over the idea to insure its funding relationships, or legislative soundness, and to identify the responsible parties for directing, reporting, and controlling activities created by the innovation. Secondly, all times are in even-numbered weeks. As originally conceived, the formula produced all odd-numbered results, but a simu |
