Change management is a well-defined approach that aims to ensure that whatever changes are implemented in an organization will be thoroughly planned and smoothly applied. Most importantly, this approach should guarantee that the benefits of the change will be lasting and will be achieved.
It is very easy to misunderstand the objective of change management. Basically, it focuses on what the likely effects of change are, especially on the members of the organization and how these individuals can transition from their current situation to a new one. You might be wondering what kind of change we are referring to here. Well, change here could be a simple process change, or it could also involve major changes in strategies and policies. The extent of change will depend on what the organization needs in order to accomplish its goals and maximize its potential.
Activities for Change Management
Once the scope and objectives of change management are considered and identified, the next thing to think about are the specific tasks that will lead to its success. There are various activities that can be used to achieve change management. The activities that will suit your organization will depend on the challenges that change management presents you with. The process of identifying what change management tasks you should take on is crucial to the success of the change to be implemented.
Change Management Activities to Choose From
- Making sure that there is clear and accurate explanation of why change is necessary. It is equally important for whoever is in the leadership role to receive the help he needs to effectively communicate this.
- Determining the agents of change or the people who must be involved in certain activities for change management. These agents need to be engaged in planning, testing, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
- Evaluating the stakeholders as well as figuring out the kind of involvement, sponsorship and correspondence needed.
- Understanding the involvement of the change agents in project activities.
- Mapping out when and how the needed changes should be communicated. How the messages for communicating such changes will be organized and delivered should be planned and decided on as well.
- Analyzing the possible effects of the changes on the structure of the organization and on its members as well.
- Making sure that the people to implement the change and those that will be affected by it have a clear understanding of the process of change.
- Ensuring that assistance and help will be available and accessible to those who will be affected by the changes in case there are uncertainties along the way.
- Determining and measuring the success indicators for the needed change. It is important that they are closely monitored and reported to make sure the goals will be achieved.
Change management is a challenging task for managers. Just like in career management, planning and careful implementation should be practiced to ensure success
Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Centre, provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe.