The business dimension of change management includes the typical project elements.
- Business need or opportunity is identified.
- Project is defined (scope and objectives).
- Business solution is designed (new processes, systems and organizational structure).
- New processes and systems are developed.
- Solution is implemented into the organization.
These are the standard elements of a business change that managers feel most comfortable managing.
People dimension of change
The people dimension of change is how employees experience the change process. Research shows that problems
with this dimension of change is the most commonly cited reason for project failures. In a study with 248 companies, effective
change management with employees was listed as one of the top-three overall success factors for the project. Helping managers
be effective sponsors of change was considered the most critical success factor overall.
Effective management of the people dimension of change often requires managing five key phases
- Awareness of the need to change
- Desire to participate and support the change
- Knowledge of how to change (and what the change looks like)
- Ability to implement the change on a day-to-day basis
- Reinforcement to keep the change in place
Common action steps for managing change
- Defining and instilling new values, attitudes, norms, and behaviors within an organization that support new
ways of doing work and overcome resistance to change
- Building consensus among customers and stakeholders on specific changes designed to better meet their needs
- Planning, testing, and implementing all aspects of the transition from one organizational structure or business
process to another.
