Change Management
Change management assists the organization to transition from their current state to a desired future state.
It is an organizational process that focuses on helping employees to embrace changes in their current business environment and ensuring that the company successfully achieves its goals.
The primary goal of Change Management is to minimize the impact of change on the organization and to avoid negative consequences that could result in the absence of thoughtful Change planning.
The change leader pays close attention to the human side of the change equation, ensuring that individuals are engaged in the change process and are encouraged to fully participate in the successful implementation of change.
Business Changes can include;
- Changing the attitudes and behaviors of personnel to achieve specific objectives,
- Strategic changes,
- Operational changes (including Structural changes), and
- Technological changes.
Organizational Change Management begins with a systematic analysis of the current situation in order to determine the need for change, as well as to understand the current capabilities of the organization to change.
A Change Control Plan is an important tool to ensure a successful change. A well articulated plan will identify the objectives of the change, the change which is to occur, as well as detailing the process to implement the change.
The Change Management processes often includes creative internal marketing designed to inspire and motivate all parties who will be required to participate in the change. It is important for the change leader to have a deep social understanding regarding group dynamics and communication, and to ensure that change initiatives align the groups expectations, with the core purpose of the change.
Measuring the success of change actions helps to ensure that the changes are effective and moving along as expected. Performance metrics, such as financial results, operational efficiency, leadership commitment, and communication effectiveness, are some of the key elements towards understanding the effectiveness of your change efforts.
Aspects of successful Change Management include;
- Understandable communications that inform all stakeholders of the reasons for the change, the benefits of successful implementation, and the details of the change.
- Effective education and training to address any skills updating that may be required to ensure the success of the change.
- Measures that counter any resistance from employees and help to align them to the overall strategic direction of the organization.
- Attention to any change related fears that may arise within individual employees.
- Monitoring the implementation of the Change Control Plan.
