This article aims to develop an empirically grounded understanding of how newcomers learn to do their work and the role information systems play in this learning. Actor network theory views technology as an important actor. Information systems are built on and embody knowledge of the work and how to perform it. The influence of this actor depends on the other actors` ability to "translate" the capability of the technology into their own work setting. From a social constructionist perspective, it could be expected that the understanding and knowledge of the work is the result of mutual development of images in the group. However, this article builds on research showing that people working closely together can still hold radically different conceptions of their work. Three distinct understandings of work that are associated with different levels of competence and with different demands on the administrative information system are found. These different understandings of the work have implications both for training and for the development of information systems.