Structured Change Management: Achieving Successful Project Implementation

Integrating change management into a project requires a structured approach in order to ensure successful implementation of the change initiative.

Change management

is an organizational process that helps employees accept and embrace changes in their current business environment, such as workflows, culture, and strategy formulation. In the preparation phase, the manager focuses on helping employees recognize and understand the need for change. Project-level change management is about ensuring that a project achieves the expected results by supporting the individual transitions required by that project.

To ensure success, it is important to have a dedicated resource and take a systemic approach. Prosci's research shows that approximately 50 percent of all organizational change initiatives are unsuccessful, which highlights why knowing how to plan, coordinate, and carry out change is a valuable skill for both managers and business leaders. To help with this, an eight-part change management plan has been designed that assigns procedures that can be planned, tracked, executed and measured. Change management is the application of a structured process and a set of tools to manage the human side of change in order to achieve the desired outcome. It is essential to identify key points over time to ensure successful implementation of the change initiative.

Steps for Structured Change Management

The following steps should be taken when incorporating change management into projects in a structured manner:

1.Establish Change Management Objectives

The first step is to establish clear objectives for the change management process.

This includes identifying the desired outcomes of the project and how they will be achieved. It is also important to consider any potential risks associated with the project and how they can be mitigated.

2.Assess Current State

The next step is to assess the current state of the organization in terms of its readiness for change. This includes understanding how employees feel about the proposed changes and what their current level of knowledge is regarding the project.

3.Develop Change Management Strategy

Once the objectives have been established and the current state has been assessed, it is time to develop a comprehensive change management strategy. This should include an action plan outlining how the project will be implemented, as well as any communication or training plans that may be necessary.

4.Implement Change Management Plan

The next step is to implement the change management plan.

This includes carrying out any necessary training or communication activities, as well as monitoring progress throughout the project.

5.Monitor Progress

It is important to monitor progress throughout the project in order to ensure that it is on track and that any potential issues are addressed quickly. This includes tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as employee engagement levels or customer satisfaction ratings.

6.Evaluate Results

Once the project has been completed, it is important to evaluate its results in order to determine whether it was successful or not. This includes assessing whether or not the desired outcomes were achieved and if there were any unexpected results.

7.Adjust Strategy as Needed

If necessary, it may be necessary to adjust the change management strategy in order to ensure future success. This could include making changes to communication plans or training activities.

8.Celebrate Successes

Finally, it is important to celebrate successes throughout the process in order to motivate employees and keep them engaged with the project. By following these steps, organizations can ensure that they are incorporating change management into projects in a structured manner.