STEPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS.

STEPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS.

In the Organizational environments, individual & large scale enterprises have two major kind of organizational changes

1.    The changes imposed by the circumstances

2.    Changes that plan and adopted to encourage growth / improvements.

The change management is very difficult process to the organization as well very important to go forward & encourage growth or improvement in an organization and ultimately achieving goals & objectives.

It is not difficult that, If you have to be well plan & prepare before implementing the Change management process to the organization. Today there are plenty of frameworks & modules are available to educate & guide the change management practices.

HISTORY OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT

The concept of change management backed to mid of 1900s. There were some philosophies & theories have been developed in these period.

·         Kurt Lewin’s “3 step model for change” (developed in1940s)

 

  

·         Everett Rogers’ book “Diffusion of Innovation” (Published in 1962)

 

·         Bridges “Transition Model” (developed in 1979)

 

 

Change management concept was not actively practice by the business organizations till 1990s and in the years 2000s it’s become available in formal organizations.

UNDERSTANDING CHANGE MANAGEMENT TERMINOLOGY

Change Management concept has evolved over the past several years with Change Management Models, Processes, and Plans developed to help ease the impact change can have on organizations

·        Change Management Models

It have been developed based on research and experience on how to best manage change within an organization. Most Change Management Models provide a supporting process that can apply to your organization

·        Change Management Processes

It include a sequence of steps or activities that move a change from inception to delivery.

·        Change Management Plans 

Are developed to support a project to deliver a change. It is typically created during the planning stage of a Change Management Process.

The below mentioned models, methodologies, and frameworks can treat as grate resources for overview of effective Change Management models.

·        McKinsey’s change management framework

·        John Kotter’s change management model

 

 Kotter's 8 steps of Change Model

·        The Prosci ADKAR process

 ·        Deming Cycle

8 ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS

The change management process is constant and affect to growth and profitability of an organization. It can happen in many ways such as implementing of new technologies, update of existing processes, and improvement of customer services processes, compliance initiatives or Re-organizations of an organization. The consistent change management process will minimizing the impact on organization and staff.

Eight (8) essential steps to Successful Change initiatives.

1.   Identify what will be improved.

 An organization focuses to improve its products, processes, or out come through a change management process. Therefore before made the changes it is need to clearly identify the focus and clarify goals. This also involves identifying the resources and individuals that will facilitate the process and lead the endeavor. Most change systems acknowledge that knowing what to improve creates a solid foundation for clarity, ease, and successful implementation.

 2. Present a Solid Business Case to Stakeholders.

 There are several layers of stakeholders that include upper management who both direct and finance the endeavor, champions of the process, and those who are directly charged with instituting the new normal. All have different expectations and experiences and there must be a high level of "buy-in" from across the spectrum. The process of on boarding the different constituents varies with each change framework, but all provide plans that call for the time, patience, and communication.


3 .Plan for the Change.

 This is the "road map" that identifies the beginning, the route to be taken, and the destination. It will also integrate resources to be leveraged, the scope or objective, and costs into the plan. A critical element of planning is providing a multi-step process rather than sudden, unplanned "sweeping" changes. This involves outlining the project with clear steps with measurable targets, incentives, measurements, and analysis.

 
4. Provide Resources and Use Data for Evaluation.

 As part of the planning process, resource identification and funding are crucial elements. These can include infrastructure, equipment, and software systems. Also consider the tools needed for re-education, retraining, and rethinking priorities and practices. Many models identify data gathering and analysis as an underutilized element. The clarity of clear reporting on progress allows for better communication, proper and timely distribution of incentives, and measuring successes and milestones.

5. Communication. 

This is the "golden thread" that runs through the entire practice of change management. Identifying, planning, on boarding, and executing a good change management plan is dependent on good communication. There are psychological and sociological realities inherent in group cultures. Those already involved have established skill sets, knowledge, and experiences. But they also have pecking orders, territory, and corporate customs that need to be addressed. Providing clear and open lines of communication throughout the process is a critical element in all change modalities. The methods advocate transparency and two-way communication structures that provide avenues to vent frustrations, applaud what is working, and seamlessly change what doesn't work.

6. Monitor and Manage Resistance, Dependencies, and Budgeting Risks
Resistance is a very normal part of change management, but it can threaten the success of a project. Most resistance occurs due to a fear of the unknown. It also occurs because there is a fair amount of risk associated with change – the risk of impacting dependencies, return on investment risks, and risks associated with allocating budget to something new. Anticipating and preparing for resistance by arming leadership with tools to manage it will aid in a smooth change life cycle.

7. Celebrate Success. 

Recognizing milestone achievements is an essential part of any project. When managing a change through its life cycle, it’s important to recognize the success of teams and individuals involved. This will help in the adoption of both your change management process as well as adoption of the change itself.

8. Review, Revise and Continuously Improve

As much as change is difficult and even painful, it is also an ongoing process. Even change management strategies are commonly adjusted throughout a project. Like communication, this should be woven through all steps to identify and remove roadblocks. And, like the need for resources and data, this process is only as good as the commitment to measurement and analysis.