Basic Principles of Successful Change Management
While the change management process can vary by industry and be applied in different ways depending on the department and organizational level, the proper implementation of change management usually follows some basic principles.
➡️ Create a Climate for Change
For any organization facing the prospect of change, the first step is to create a climate that is open to change. Change can be intimidating or even frustrating, and it is critical that leadership reduce resistance by communicating the importance of change, providing guidance to the teams where change is taking place, and offering a clear vision to kick-start the transition process. Communication and transparency about the "why" and "how" of change are critical to gaining employee trust and buy-in. This helps employees own and implement the change.
➡️ Engage and Enable Change
Once the climate is favorable for change, the next step is to engage and enable the organization to make the change. When change is required, it is important to assign responsibility. Does this change require a specific person or team to implement? Is it an organizational change that needs to be implemented at multiple levels? If so, who is responsible for coordinating these different levels? Answering all these questions can help guide the change process and reduce confusion about responsibilities. For this reason, it is important to keep communication open, transparent, and clear. Even short-term successes can help keep morale and enthusiasm high.
➡️ Implement and Sustain Change
Once the organization is committed and the individuals and teams are empowered and motivated, it is time to implement and sustain the change. At this point, it is important to stay focused and keep the pressure on to achieve the desired outcome. While this step may seem rudimentary, some managers may still lose focus during the process. If the goal shifts during the change process, do not hesitate to adjust accordingly and shift responsibilities or procedures to maintain drive and focus.
➡️ Review and Reflect on Change
After the general principles have been established, a final step in the change management process is a review. Despite managers' best efforts to communicate effectively and assign responsibilities properly, change is a dynamic process. After a transition period is completed, it is important to review the aspects of the process that worked well or poorly and then learn from the results.