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Change Management

Making organization change happen effectively

Change management is a term that is bandied about freely. Sometimes it's a scapegoat for less than stellar results: "That initiative failed because we didn't focus enough on change management." And it's often used as a catch-all for project activities that might otherwise get overlooked: "When we implement that new process, let's not forget about the change management."

It's a noun: "Change management is key to the project."
It's a verb: "We really need to change manage that process."
It's an adjective: "My change management skills are improving."
It's an expletive: "Change management!"

But what exactly is it?

Change management is a structured approach for ensuring that changes are thoroughly and smoothly implemented, and that the lasting benefits of change are achieved.

The focus is on the wider impacts of change, particularly on people and how they, as individuals and teams, move from the current situation to the new one. The change in question could range from a simple process change, to major changes in policy or strategy needed if the organization is to achieve its potential.

Understanding Change Management

Theories about how organizations change draw on many disciplines, from psychology and behavioral science, through to engineering and systems thinking. The underlying principle is that change does not happen in isolation - it impacts the whole organization (system) around it, and all the people touched by it.

In order to manage change successfully, it is therefore necessary to attend to the wider impacts of the changes. As well as considering the tangible impacts of change, it's important to consider the...(Sign in to read more.)

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New Articles (Not included in the Mind Tools E-book.)
* Shows articles available in full only to Career Excellence Club Premium members

Influence Maps - Uncovering where the power lies in your projects
Burke-Litwin Change Model - Unraveling the dynamics of organizational change*
Overcoming Cultural Barriers to Change - Moving to a high performance culture*
Using the Change Curve - Accelerating change, and improving project success*
Lewin's Change Management Model - Understanding the three stages of change*
Kotter's 8-Step Change Model - Implementing change powerfully and successfully
The RACI Matrix - Structuring accountabilities for maximum efficiency and results*
Organizational Design - Aligning organizational structure with business goals*
Logframes, and the Logical Framework Approach - Planning projects robustly

A full list of Mind Tools articles is available here.

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