How Do I Know I Need Change Management?
The funny thing about Change Management is that it’s one of those things that you probably don’t know exists until you need it. Yes, I know that’s an odd thing to say, but hear me out on this.
With change management, here’s a very common scenario leading to awareness.
- First, something new happens at your organization. This could be any sort of new project, software implementation, staffing changes, etc.
- Then, something goes wrong with the new thing. The project stalls or fails, workers aren’t using the new software, or staff are unhappy with their new role.
- Frustrated, you start asking:
- Why did my project fail?
- Why aren’t my users using our new software?
- Why aren’t my staff transitioning to their new roles?
- And this is where the lightbulb goes off as Google reveals a new term and the answer to all of your organizational change issues - change management.
Heck, this may even be the exact way you stumbled onto this article. Which is good news and means you’re in the right spot!
What are some of the common situations that can benefit from a change management strategy? Let’s take a look at four types.
Change Type 1: When There’s Something New Happening in Your Business
This first type of change occurs when introducing anything new to the organization. On the large end, this could be full-scale implementations of new technology, software, or even a new product line. But, this also includes smaller changes like enacting a new policy or incorporating a new procedure.
New things can frustrate employees if they aren’t adequately prepared. Change management provides an opportunity to set expectations with new things and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Change Type 2: When Something Needs to be Fixed
A broken process, equipment malfunctions, and more. In business, things breakdown, stop working, and become in need of repair. It’s a natural occurrence, but it can be a challenging type of change.
Fixing a broken process often requires new steps, routing to different channels, etc.
Change management practices help you create process maps to help your organization communicate process change and outline the steps to move from the current state to the desired one.
Change Type 3: When the Business is Falling Behind
In the age of Digital Transformation, technology is accelerating rapidly. Many companies find themselves being held back by older hardware and software, lack of infrastructure, or other limitation. Unable to meet customer and employee expectations.
The answer often lies in a modernization project of some kind. Migrating to an improved software solution, incorporating updated plug-ins, etc. The path to modernization is not always a smooth one.
Change management helps to ease the burden of these necessary strategic moves.
Change Type 4: When an Old Employee Leaves or a New Employee is Hired
The three types of changes we’ve discussed so far have dealt with changes in processes and strategy. But, change management is also necessary when the organization makes staffing changes.
No, it’s not because that new hire in accounting is evil. It’s the fact that each and every one of us is different. All people have to get used to new working, communication, and leadership styles.
And you guessed it – change management can help with this type of change too!
Your Problem Now Has a Name
"Change is hard." We hear that all the time in our lives. And while change is challenging, it is also necessary. What you have on your side is you're taking the time now to understand change and how it works. Understanding is a huge step toward more efficient and easier change at your organization.
Your problem now has a name - change management - and we can overcome it together. Click here to explore the keys to confident change.
