1.1.2 Describe the need for change management
An approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations to a desired future state.
This is a structured approach by an organization for ensuring that changes are smoothly and successfully implemented to achieve lasting benefits.
Change management is needed because globalization and constant innovation in technology result in constantly evolving business environment which creates change. (Modern organizational change is largely motivated by exterior innovations rather than internal moves.)
Organizations that adapt quickest create a competitive advantage for themselves, while the companies that refuse to change get left behind.
Results in drastic profit and / or market share losses.
when stakeholders accept and embrace the changes in the workplace
when the whole company has maximized the benefits of the changes
and minimized the negative impacts of changes on individual employees
Interior factors causing change:
Change in personnel who manage or use a system.
Company’s mission or values no longer align with system.
Exterior changes causing change:
Changes in technology.
Changes in availability / cost of system resources.
Change in market demand.
Availability of newer / superior systems.
When a company has decided to change systems, these are some features that need to be considered:
Alignment: Aligning the organizational goals with the new system.
Measurement: How will the success of the change be measured? What data should be collected before the changes?
Communication: How will the be communicated to stakeholders?
Compatibility: How compatible is the new system with existing dependent systems? What data conversion is required to the new system?
Installation: Which installation process would work best for the organization?
It is important that companies convince their employees that change is necessary in order to ensure that business operations continue smoothly. This process includes:
Recognizing changes in the broader business environment and adjusting other impacted systems.
Training employees on the appropriate changes.
Winning the support of the employees with the benefits of the changes.
Documenting the change process, in case problems arise after installation of the new system.
Review 1: In a small business, how do the following changes affect the employees in their everyday work schedule?
Change of operating systems in company's provided computers
Printers that are able to print both sides
Deployment of Mimio classroom software in replacement of Smart Boards
Review 2: Exterior changes
A medical company is very satisfied from the technical performance of its current information technology infrastructure. Is there any reason to change it