Chapter 4. Computer-related Suggestions
4-1. Introduction. The increase in the number of
computer-related Ideas being submitted has raised several
questions about how those Ideas should be handled.
Because the use of computer technology in the Department
is growing so rapidly, touching virtually every employee,
the impact of that evolution on the IDEAS Program must be
considered.
There are two primary factors that prompted these concerns:
o Many suggesters are submitting floppy disks with
computer programs that they have developed. Ideas
awards must recognize the value of the Idea - not the
implementation. Developing the actual program for a
computer application is implementing the Idea. Managers
in the Office of Information Policies and Systems (IPS)
prefer to control the implementation of applications since
modifying a program developed by a suggester, to make it
useful to a broader audience or to incorporate additional
features, may be more costly than developing the program
from scratch.
o Some suggesters are submitting very general Ideas
to "automate this process." But employees should
understand that most tasks, processes, and procedures can
be automated. Management decisions regarding if and
when to automate them are based on such factors as
priorities, costs, and resources.
The point of this chapter is to discuss what kinds of
computer-related suggestions can be considered for
IDEAS Program awards. It is important to note at the
outset that automation- related suggestions that are not
eligible for IDEAS awards may be recognized with
performance awards.
4-2. Background. Making computer technology available
to the workforce has been, and continues to be, a major
Departmental productivity initiative. Providing extensive
training on mainframe systems, minicomputer systems,
and microcomputers reflects the commitment of the
Department to this initiative, in both time and money.
Acquisition of equipment, especially of microcomputers and
local area networks (LANS), continues to escalate. The
Office of Information Policies and Systems has
developed a long-range plan which identifies numerous
initiatives to further the integration of computer
technology in the Department's work.
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Already, the Department has achieved many returns on
this investment through automated work processes and
improved management information that have resulted in
