“Projects with excellent change management effectiveness were nearly six times more likely to achieve project objectives.” ~ Prosci 2015[1]
You’ve made the decision to upgrade or recreate your IT system. You’ve considered technology, parameters, oversight, vendors, money, timing, schedule and much more. But have you considered what can be your biggest asset or your most tenacious roadblock – your people?It’s never too early to start preparing your organization, leaders, and staff to embrace and champion the new solution. Your organization is made up of individuals who each have their own individual response to change. Some of us jump on board early with enthusiasm but then can lose interest when a project “takes too long” or is “bogged down in minutiae.” Others want to wait a bit and see how the project is progressing before committing to change. And others want to stand on the sidelines until there is proof of success.
There is nothing you can do to change an individual’s approach to change.
There is much you can do to prepare your organization and your staff for the challenges of the project that lie ahead and it’s never too early. IT change management is the process gaining ground in large and small IT solution projects. It all starts with a fast but comprehensive needs assessment to identify the scope of your project, the amount and timing of change as well as the impact for each group in your organization.
This assessment results in specific strategies to create the appropriate environment, communication and learning opportunities to prepare you and your staff for the transition ahead. Depending on the size, scope and risks of your project strategies might include:
- Coaching, training, and support for leaders including tailored actions steps to build stakeholder commitment throughout the project.
- Focus on and organization restructuring for the most impacted groups.
- Preventative and proactive plans for managing resistance that might slow or derail your project.
By getting out ahead of the wave, you prepare your organization:
- To upgrade technical and management skills - during a medium to large project, management and leaders are required to expand their skills and toolbox to be able to successfully support employees through the transition. If you intend your IT department to operate and maintain your new system then those IT resources will need information, support, training, and practice.
- Train staff in change agility and management – individuals react differently to change. Personal reactions cannot be changed but individuals can be supported with information, encouragement, training, and removal of barriers to prepare themselves for the change and support the project.
- Put communication channels in place with targeted messages that will raise awareness of the need for the change – early communication as well as communication at and after Go-Live is critical to build commitment and ensure the new changes stick. The communication plan needs to be specific, collaborative, detailed and tied to the project plan.
- Appropriately staff and prepare your workforce for the project ahead – Although you may never be able to fully staff a large project, by knowing the most impacted groups you can target staffing to the project, departments affected, and the supports needed to prepare for and involve people in the project.
Your reward is reduced resistance, decreased turnover, savings in time and resources, increased participation and creativity, and ultimately champions of a much better product.
No, it is never too early for Change Management.
About Sagitec Solutions, LLC:
Sagitec Solutions, LLC designs and delivers tailor-made pension, provident fund, unemployment insurance, and health and life sciences software solutions to clients of all sizes. Sagitec has the expertise necessary to help their customers achieve strategic business objectives, enhance service offerings, and lower operating costs. Find further information by visiting http://www.Sagitec.com or by contacting Rick Deshler at (651) 335-3406 or at Rick.Deshler@Sagitec.com.
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