title: A practical implementation science heuristic for organizational readiness: R = MC2.
abstract: There are many challenges when an innovation (i.e., a program, process, or policy that is new to an organization) is actively introduced into an organization. One critical component for successful implementation is the organization's readiness for the innovation. In this article, we propose a practical implementation science heuristic, abbreviated asR= MC2. We propose that organizational readiness involves: 1) themotivationto implement an innovation, 2) thegeneral capacitiesof an organization, and 3) theinnovation-specific capacitiesneeded for a particular innovation. Each of these components can be assessed independently and be used formatively. The heuristic can be used by organizations to assess readiness to implement and by training and technical assistance providers to help build organizational readiness. We present an illustration of the heuristic by showing how behavioral health organizations differ in readiness to implement a peer specialist initiative. Implications for research and practice of organizational readiness are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Scaccia
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
authors.forename: Brittany S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamont
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wandersman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castellow
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2648.
authors.forename: Rinad S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Beidas
keywords: General Capacity; Innovation-Specific Capacity; Motivation; Organizational Readiness; Practical Implementation Science