THE STUDY FOCUSED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARDS IN THE AREAS OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL AND BUDGET OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS AN INFORMATION-SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT FOR EACH OF THESE AREAS. THE RECOMMENDED STANDARDS, SUPPORTING FORMS, PROCEDURES, AND REPORTING MECHANISMS ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE UNIFICATION IN THE MINNESOTA COURT SYSTEM. FOUR MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ARE GIVEN PRIORITY: (1) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PERSONNEL, BUDGETING, AND ASSOCIATED INFORMATION-SYSTEMS STANDARDS SHOULD RESULT IN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF PERSONNEL AND FINANCES IN ALL TRIAL COURTS; (2) STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION SHOULD PROVIDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR STATE-LEVEL PLANNING AND MONITORING AND PROVIDE EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION ON TRIAL COURT OPERATIONS; (3) THE STANDARDS SHOULD RESULT IN PROCEDURAL UNIFORMITY NECSSARY FOR THE COLLECTION OF COMPARABLE DATA ON TRIAL COURT OPERATIONS; AND (4) SHOULD STATE FUNDING OF COURT ADMINISTRATION BE AUTHORIZED IN THE FUTURE, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STANDARDS CAN EASE THE TRANSITION PROCESS. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)