Change management is the application of a structured process and a set of tools to lead change from the perspective of people and achieve the desired result. It focuses on how to help people participate in, adopt and use change in their daily work. Although it's sometimes referred to as the soft side of change, managing the people's side of change is often the most challenging and critical component of an organizational transformation. Every alteration that goes through this process and that is approved later will have an effect on the project schedule, documentation and, possibly, the budget, so it is essential that it be modified accordingly.
One of the key elements in any change management process is to determine which changes are going to be accepted and which are going to be declined. This procedure can be costly and difficult to implement, particularly if the customization is extensive. It may not be compatible with the future direction of the organization, and the organization will have to modify its process to fit the system. Implementing an effective change management process not only helps prevent the scope from being diverted, but it also keeps the project on track and guarantees that all changes are addressed in the same consistent and repeatable way.
As a facilitator of change, the professional works to develop the change management strategy and plans and, at the same time, supports and equips senior leaders and personnel managers to perform their unique employee-oriented functions. Change management is a fundamental part of every project and, every day, companies face changes, such as the launch of a new product or the restructuring of the organization. Change management is the process, tools and techniques for managing the human side of change in order to achieve the desired business outcome. The components of governance include the technical development of the project, the installation of hardware and software, functional components, communications, change management, reporting, project management, owners and sponsors, budget management, and the issue of scaling process.
Incorporating a change management process into implementation can have many advantages. It helps ensure that all changes are addressed in a consistent way. It also helps prevent scope creep by keeping projects on track. Moreover, research has shown that projects with excellent change management are six times more likely to meet their objectives than those with poor change management.
Even those with no change management at all are more likely to succeed than those with poor change management. Change management incorporates organizational tools that can be used to help people make successful personal transitions that result in adoption and realization of change. The degree to which they alter their behaviors and adopt new processes has a significant impact on an initiative's success. Therefore, it is essential for organizations to incorporate a robust change management process into their implementation plans.
