ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with some of the problems that have confronted those in charge of computer services. The computer manager in the public services advises on possible applications and investigates their feasibility, draws up proposals and, when approval for them has been received, supervises their implementation and operation. Those responsible for planning computer provision have to make far-reaching judgments on what is, in many cases, uncertain information. Two problems are basic to the development stage. One is the rigorous timetable, which means that delay in one activity upsets concurrent and subsequent activities, causing delays over all and extra costs. The other problem is the peaking of the total workload. When a system is operational the division of responsibility between a client department and the computer section has to be well established and there must be satisfactory methods of determining priority.
