The Ultimate Guide to Change Management Processes

Change management is a leadership competence and strategic capacity designed to increase an organization's capacity for change and responsiveness. It is the comprehensive implementation of change within an organization, which includes preparing and supporting employees, establishing the necessary steps for the change, and monitoring activities before and after the implementation. In this article, we will provide an expert guide to understanding and writing your own change management process. We will discuss three traditional models of change management that organizations still find effective today, as well as the steps for writing your own change management process and the benefits of such processes.

The Three Traditional Models of Change Management

In a project management context, the term change management can be used as an alternative to change control processes in which changes in the scope of a project are formally introduced and approved. Change management processes date back to the early 1960s and there have been several change management models over the years. By following a change management process, you can better equip your team and your company to prepare for and benefit from a new change. Tactics can be useful to implement a change in behavior in the group or a change in procedure or management in the group. Julien Phillips, consultant for McKinsey & Company, published a change management model in 1982 in the journal Human Resource Management.

Christina Dean (author of RIMER Managing Successful Change Professional Edition) established the Australian Government's National Competency Standards at the diploma level and RIMER as the certification of Australia's national competence standards.

Steps for Writing Your Own Change Management Process

By continuously improving your change management process every time a new update is released, you ensure that the next transition is even smoother than the previous one. The first step in a good change management process is to know the reason for the change and then follow up with clear communication and an incentive to change. Prosci's research even shows a direct correlation between effective change management and compliance with the schedule and budget. In the preparation phase, the manager focuses on helping employees recognize and understand the need for change. As a visible path in transformation projects, the management of organizational change aligns the expectations of groups, integrates teams and manages employee training.

The Benefits of Change Management Processes

Therefore, the ability to manage and adapt to organizational change is an essential skill that is required in today's workplace.

Christina also influenced the industry associations of the Institute of Human Resources Management and the Institute for Project Management to include change management in their academic programs up to the master's level. After all, not achieving acceptance is one of the main ways in which change management processes fail, but it's not the only way. By following a well-defined process for managing changes within an organization, teams can ensure that changes are implemented smoothly and efficiently. This will help them achieve their desired outcomes while minimizing disruption to their operations. Additionally, it will help them build trust with their employees by providing them with clear communication about changes.