Change itself often threatens efficiency. This is ironic, given that organizational changes are frequently made because of a need for increased efficiency. Academic departments within a wide variety of institutions are wrestling with this irony on a daily basis. Expanding systems and staffing, and adoption of new computer systems, all intended to increase productivity, all too often actually compromise departmental effectiveness, if mismatched. Various strategies for academic department chairs to use in managing both staffing and technology changes, including illustrative examples, are examined. (SLD)