In business, change is a constant process initiated by management as a way of streamlining organizational performance and operations. For change to be successful, the administration must undertake proper organizational change management while also involving all parties that are affected. Change management should be well instituted and involves five important steps.
Identification of the Changes
The first step to take to successfully initiate and manage change is pointing out areas that need to be changed. The change identification process should be comprehensively conducted. For each area where change is expected, an accompanying evaluation should be made, clarifying the goals and prospected outcomes.
Communicating the Change
Open internal communication is crucial within the workplace if the change is to be successful. The administration should focus on involving all parties that are to be affected by the change. Engaging the employees on the prospected changes ensures that there well brought on board and that they understand the entire course of the transition. It also allows them to seek clarifications while also voicing concerns and ideas on how the change could be better implemented.
Creating A Roadmap
For change to be successful in the long term, there should be created a comprehensive roadmap that gives a broad overview of the steps to be taken when implementing the anticipated changes. The roadmap gives the organization important clarifications pointing out milestones and deadlines by when the change should be effected. The roadmap should also outline the necessary resources to be used when facilitating a smooth transition.
Risk Identification and Mitigation
One of the key risks to organizational change is resistance to change. Such resistance can jeopardize an organization’s ability to achieve its objective and prospected milestones. Such risks should be pointed out in advance and mitigated by taking the necessary corrective action such as communication, transparency, and accountability to ensure a smooth transition process.
Continuous Review
Change is a delicate process that can either make or break an organization. Undertaking continuous review provides the management with an overview of the course of the effected changes. The review should target evaluating the feedback loop evidenced as a result of the changes. Feedback, such as the volume of sales made, acquisition of new customers, and profits made per unit time gives the organization an overview of how effective the changes are in achieving the desired goals.