Implementation StageImplementation

Implementation Stage
Implementation occurs when an individual (or other decision making unit) puts an innovation into use. Until the implementation stage, the innovation decision process has been a strictly mental exercise. But implementation involves overt behavior change, as the new idea is actually put into practice. Past conceptualizations of the innovationdecision process have generally not fully recognized the importance, or even the existence, of the implementation stage. It is often one thing for the individual to decide to adopt a new idea, and quite a different thing to put the innovation into use. Problems in exactly how to use the innovation may crop up at the implementation stage. Implementation usually follows The decision stage rather directly unless it is held up by some logistical problem, like the temporary unavailability of the innovation.

A certain degree of uncertainty about the expected consequences of the innovation still exist for the individual at the implementation stage, even though the decision to adopt has been made previously. When it comes to implementation, an individual particularly wants to know the answers to such questions as "Where do I obtain the innovation?" "How do I use it?" and "What operational problems am I likely to encounter, and how can I solve them?" So active information seeking usually takes place at the implementation stage. Here the role of the change agent is mainly to provide technical assistance to the client as he or she begins to operate the innovation.