Introduction
What is change management?
Change management is the process of planning and implementing a strategy for supporting individuals, teams and organisations adapt to changes within the organisation.
These changes could be:
- Technological changes
- Process changes
- Environmental changes (such as moving from one location to another)
- Changes to working practices, employment or culture
Why
Why is change management needed?
Human beings are highly dependent on routine in order to function correctly and any change to an individuals work environment or practices can cause severe disruption to the individual’s routine and mental health.
- Will I be able to adapt to the new system?
- Will the changes benefit me financially/professionally/personally?
- Is my job/role at risk?
- How much extra work am I going to have to do?
If changes are carefully managed then there is a serious risk of the changes failing, either partially or even completely.
Success
Successful Change Management
Successful change management depends on a wide number of factors, including:
Planning & preparation
Before any changes are made the whole process needs to be planned for and risks highlighted and factored into the plan.
Communication
Two-way communication between all stakeholders is essential throughout the process
Shared vision and buy-in
Within larger organisations creating a shared vision and getting buy-in is absolutely essential, otherwise passive or active resistance to change could ruin the whole project.
Careful Implementation
The new system needs to be introduced carefully at a pace that is appropriate for the needs of the organisation.
Review & adaption
It’s important to ensure that success of system implementation is analyzed at all point in the process and changes are made as appropriate.