Change Management
Ed Direction Data Fellows: Asynchronous Module
May 27, 2022
Embedded Files
Welcome to the Change Management Optional Asynchronous Module.
Helpful Instructions and Reminders:
You will work through this module by scrolling through this learning space. To expand documents and slide decks that are included, you can click on the gray arrow at the top right corner of each item.
Feel free to focus on the pieces of this module that are most relevant to your topics of interest.
Please complete the Exit Ticket and Module Completion Form at the end of the module. We will use your submission to track completion.
Please contact datafellows@eddirection.org if help is needed.
Click on the button to the left to open a Note Catcher, which is mirrored to follow the content as it is presented on the Learning Space. As you navigate through this module, you are welcome to use this optional tool to capture your notes.
Refer to your note catcher each time you see this icon.
Session Outcome: This optional asynchronous module will provide a framework for understanding the challenges that inevitably come with managing change. It also contains actionable strategies Data Fellows can employ to support the changes they are leading in their district.
Success Criteria: Participants will be able to apply their understanding of the following as they serve as Data Fellows:
The three components of Chip and Dan Heath’s Switch framework
Proactive strategies that increase stakeholder willingness to embrace change
Reactive strategies that decrease stakeholder resistance as it manifests
Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Headed
Over the last 2 months, we’ve covered many of the technical aspects of the Data Fellow’s role, from planning to data collection and cleaning to building dashboards. This module bridges that technical content with the adaptive challenges of leading change.
This module contains a mix of previously introduced and brand new resources. We include previous material so that Data Fellows can connect it to the Switch change management framework. We include new material to continue to build the Data Fellows’ toolkits for leading change.
Part 1: What is Change Management? (20 minutes)
Part 1: What is Change Management? (20 minutes)
Change management is a process by which we acknowledge, prepare, and support people through change to create sustaining impact. Successful change management maintains a focus on the logistics of the change alongside the emotional response of the people who are affected to help everyone adapt smoothly and cohesively.
Change management is instrumental in a successful shift in an organization. It ensures that stakeholders understand the change and commit to their role so that the change is both efficient and effective.
As Data Fellows, you may be introducing your district to new ways of collecting, analyzing, and responding to data. As such, you are change management leaders! It will be important to consider how you will equip different stakeholders to approach this change in a student-centered, inclusive way.
Pause and Reflect: What might people in your district have to change about the way they do things in order for your goals as a Data Fellow to be achieved? What emotional responses have you already encountered? What others can you anticipate?
There are many change management frameworks, and this session will be anchored in the well-known Switch model developed by Chip and Dan Heath. You will find other frameworks as Additional Resources at the end of this module.
The Switch framework is based on the metaphor of a human rider sitting atop an elephant trying to get from Point A to Point B. Success depends on three components:
Direct the Rider: Follow the Bright Spots → Script the Critical Moves → Point to the Destination
Motivate the Elephant: Find the Feeling → Shrink the Change → Grow Your People
Shape the Path: Tweak the Environment → Build Habits → Rally the Herd
Explore the following resources to gain an initial understanding of each component and how they fit together.
Switch Overview (8 min)
Switch Overview (8 min)
switch-framework.pdfOne-Page Summary of Switch
One-Page Summary of Switch
Pause and Reflect: Think of a change process you previously led or participated in at your school/district. Can you identify at least one strategy you use or observed in that process that aligns to each of the three components of the Switch framework?
Part 2: Explore Resources (25 minutes)
Part 2: Explore Resources (25 minutes)
Throughout the synchronous and asynchronous modules to date, you have seen a wide variety of resources that are designed to support you as a change leader in your role as Data Fellow. As you learn about each part of the Switch framework for change management, you will have an opportunity to explore these resources through a new lens, as well as access new resources provided to further expand your leadership toolkit.
Direct the Rider
Direct the Rider
You learned in Part I that the Rider represents the rational part of the brain. So, Directing the Rider means to provide clarity to appeal to the logical, deliberate, analytical side of your stakeholders. To Direct the Rider:
Follow the Bright Spots
“Investigate what’s working and clone it.”
Highlight strong data users in your district and seek to learn from them. What are they doing that’s working and how can you replicate it?
Script the Critical Moves
“Don’t think big picture, think in terms of specific behaviors.”
What are the discrete steps that will need to happen for this change to succeed?
Point to the Destination
“Change is easier when you know where you’re going and why it’s worth it.”
How will the shift in the use of data in your district impact students? What’s the end goal?
Learn more about what it means to Direct the Rider from this slide deck from TEA.
Change Management - Direct the Rider_FINAL.pdfPause and Reflect: What are the immediate next steps you can take in your role as a Data Fellow? Consider:
With whom do you need to share information about the shift in data use in your district?
How will you share this information?
How can you use the information to shape the next steps you take in your role as Data Fellows?
Explore and Assess: Now, take some time to peruse the following resources. As you read, use your note catcher make note of:
How the resource could be most useful to you
How you might need to adapt the resource for your specific district context
Resources From Previous Webinars and Modules
Resources From Previous Webinars and Modules
Data Culture Rubric
TEA Data Fellows - Ed Direction - Data Culture Rubric - FRAMEWORK.docxUse this rubric to reflect on the current data culture in your district and plan for next steps.
New Resources
New Resources
Motivate the Elephant
Motivate the Elephant
The Rider comes with limited resources and must ultimately rely on the Elephant to reach the destination. The Elephant is our emotional side, which needs to be engaged to make and sustain change. To Motivate the Elephant:
Find the Feeling
“Knowing something isn’t enough to cause change. Make people feel something.”
Data is most powerful when it tells a story that connects to the HUMAN element. How will you get users to make connections between the numbers and the students and adults they represent?
Shrink the Change
“Break down the change until it no longer spooks the Elephant.”
Change is big and scary. What are the small, manageable, bite-sized pieces that your stakeholders will be able to process and tackle?
Grow Your People
“Cultivate a sense of identity and instill the growth mindset.”
You're a change leader, and your team will be looking to you! How will you support them to feel capable and confident in this new terrain?
Learn more about what it means to Motivate the Elephant from this slide deck from TEA.
Change Management - Motivate the Elephant_Final.pdfPause and Reflect: When considering your stakeholders, for whom will it be especially crucial to Motivate the Elephant?
Explore and Assess: Now, take some time to peruse the following resources. As you read, use your note catcher make note of:
How the resource could be most useful to you
How you might need to adapt the resource for your specific district context
Resources From Previous Webinars and Modules
Resources From Previous Webinars and Modules
Measurement Plan Template
This is a template to help you think through your measurement plan to closely monitor SMART goals. Adapted from TEA.
New Resources
New Resources
Shape the Path
Shape the Path
This part speaks to the importance of the environment, or Path, in supporting change. When you adjust the environment, you set your stakeholders up for success in the change. To Shape the Path:
Tweak the Environment
“When the situation changes, the behavior changes. So change the situation.”
How is the current culture creating certain behaviors, and what can you shift about that culture?
Build Habits
“When behavior is habitual, it’s “free”—it doesn’t tax the Rider. Look for ways to encourage habits.”
What habits will you help your stakeholders form as part of your data culture?
Rally the Herd
“Behavior is contagious. Help it spread.”
How can you leverage your community to bring everyone in?
Pause and Reflect: There are some parts of the Path that are in your control and others that are not. What part of the Path can you actively shape?
Explore and Assess: Now, take some time to peruse the following resources. As you read, use your note catcher make note of:
How the resource could be most useful to you
How you might need to adapt the resource for your specific district context
Resources From Previous Webinars and Modules
Resources From Previous Webinars and Modules
Progress Monitoring Module
This asynchronous module will provides additional information and resources to support progress monitoring of goals set by the RSSP team.
New Resources
New Resources
Part 3: Apply Your Learning
In your note cater, you'll see a table with some scenarios that are examples of dilemmas that Data Fellows may face as Change Managers.
For each scenario, consider:
How might you react in this situation? How would you Direct the Rider, Motivate the Elephant, and/or Shape the Path?
Which of the resources provided above might help to proactively avoid this issue?
After you've considered the actions you might take and resources you might use in each scenario check out some of our ideas here. How does your initial thinking compare?
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
The Switch framework is one of many ways of understanding change management. Below are some additional structures for guiding change. Talk to your district leadership to see if there is a framework of which your stakeholders might already have a shared language, or borrow ideas from Shift alongside any of these!
Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail, by John P. Kotter
Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leadership, by Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky
Is Your Organization Surviving Change — or Thriving in It?, by John P. Kotter, Vanessa Akhtar, and Gaurav Gupta
Module Complete!
Module Complete!
Congratulations on completing the Progress Monitoring module. Please complete the Exit Ticket and Module Completion forms by clicking on the links below. We will use the information you submit to track your completion.
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