How do you manage change from planning to evaluation?
Change is inevitable and essential for any organization that wants to survive and thrive in a dynamic and competitive environment. However, managing change effectively is not an easy task. It requires a clear vision, a strategic plan, a collaborative approach, a supportive culture, and a continuous evaluation. In this article, you will learn how to manage change from planning to evaluation using some practical tools and techniques.
The first step in managing change is to define what the change is, why it is needed, and what are the expected outcomes and benefits. You need to have a clear and compelling vision that aligns with your organization's mission, values, and goals. You also need to identify the scope, scale, and impact of the change on your stakeholders, processes, and resources. You can use tools such as SWOT analysis, stakeholder analysis, and change readiness assessment to help you define the change.
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Joel "Thor" Neeb
Transformation Sherpa
It’s critical to have a change plan for the change plan. In other words, make sure that the change management team has their own separate benchmarks for success that don’t necessarily mirror the org business benchmarks for the transformation. Kotter’s change model is an excellent place to start: 1- Create Urgency. The first step is to create a sense of urgency about the need for change. ... 2- Put A Team Together. ... 3- Develop Vision and Strategies. ... 4- Communicate the Change Vision. ... 5- Remove Obstacles. ... 6- Set Short-Term Goals. ... 7- Keep the Momentum. ... 8- Make The Change Stick. Good luck!
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Melissa Thibodeaux
Award-Winning Workforce Development and Engagement Consultant | Empowering Business Success with Strategic HR Brilliance | Revenue Growth 140K to $4M in < 3 Years
We all know change is hard; obviously our talented people are the vehicle to the end result. Change requires high-performance. Talented people, by design, require foundational understanding to perform at their peak. In my experience, the best outcomes from a change initiative included very concise definitions with a highly compelling, well developed “WHY”. Of course, buy-in of “WHY” is a stand-alone item for focused, ongoing communications. But if the definition itself is a visible line pointing to “Why”, daily buy-in is organic, and a piece of foundational knowledge contributing to peak performance by talented people.
The second step in managing change is to plan how to implement the change, who will be involved, and when and how to communicate the change. You need to have a detailed and realistic action plan that outlines the tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and resources needed for the change. You also need to have a communication plan that specifies the messages, channels, frequency, and feedback mechanisms for the change. You can use tools such as SMART goals, Gantt charts, and RACI matrices to help you plan the change.
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DANTES LAHENS
Global Program Leader | Agile Alchemist | 5x LinkedIn Top Voice | Empowering leaders to achieve flawless strategy execution
Planning is crucial, but don't overcomplicate it. Keep your action plan lean and agile. Focus on clear roles and swift communication. Use tech to track progress. Adapt quickly to feedback. This approach keeps momentum high and execution sharp.
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Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye
Accomplished strategist and change expert |Top 45 influential women in digital transformation |Leading voice in organizational leadership | Leader in consumer goods, retail and eCommerce |Speaker, mentor and board member
One thing I have found helpful is to have a “Roles & Responsibility” meeting with all key stakeholders. At this meeting the change management team presents the detailed change vision, expectations, tasks, responsibilities, timelines.., to the project team.
The third step in managing change is to execute the change according to your plan, monitor the progress, and resolve any issues or risks that arise. You need to have a strong and committed leadership team that guides and supports the change. You also need to have a participatory and inclusive approach that engages and empowers your employees, customers, and partners in the change. You can use tools such as Kotter's 8-step model, ADKAR model, and Lewin's change model to help you execute the change.
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Antonio Sadaric
Strategic HR Development @ Rimac Technology | PhD, Leadership & Org Transformation | Sustainable High-Quality Relationship Cultures | Innovating Corporate Learning and Leadership Development | Workplace Anthropology
Managing change from planning to evaluation is like being a master craftsman executing a meticulously designed blueprint. Just as a skilled artisan brings a vision to life through careful execution, leaders should implement change with precision and attention to detail. Begin by ensuring that every aspect of the plan is thoroughly understood, much like a craftsman comprehends the intricacies of a design. Execute the change methodically, involving and empowering your team throughout the process, similar to how a craftsman collaborates with apprentices. Encourage open communication and actively involve team members in the execution. Constantly refine and adjust your approach as needed, like a master craftsman fine-tuning their work.
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Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye
Accomplished strategist and change expert |Top 45 influential women in digital transformation |Leading voice in organizational leadership | Leader in consumer goods, retail and eCommerce |Speaker, mentor and board member
From my experience, it is crucial for a plan to align with business activities and project plans. Misalignment can lead to inefficiencies, wasted resources, and missed opportunities. For instance, I once worked on a project where the plan didn't consider the team's workload and priorities, resulting in delays and financial losses. Rushing into changes without proper planning can also have significant financial implications. I witnessed a company switching to a new software system without carrying out enough testing or training, leading to errors and increased costs.
The fourth step in managing change is to sustain the change by reinforcing the new behaviors, practices, and outcomes. You need to have a positive and adaptive culture that embraces and celebrates the change. You also need to have a continuous learning and improvement mindset that seeks and incorporates feedback, lessons learned, and best practices. You can use tools such as recognition and reward systems, coaching and mentoring programs, and learning and development opportunities to help you sustain the change.
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Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye
Accomplished strategist and change expert |Top 45 influential women in digital transformation |Leading voice in organizational leadership | Leader in consumer goods, retail and eCommerce |Speaker, mentor and board member
I discovered a valuable strategy that involves utilizing change champions or agents to consistently maintain communication and engagement within their respective circles of influence. Employing quizzes, periodic meetings for change agents, pulse surveys, coaching, and performance/rewards has proven to be effective in sustaining change.
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Samuel Chuks Amoforitse, MBA
Experienced Business Leader|General Management, P&L, Strategy & Execution, Corporate Governance|
I found change very exciting when leaders make genuine efforts to engage the team with clear intent to evaluate how well the objectives have been met. Such engagement triggers conversation around what worked well? What didn't work well? What can be done differently to achieve better results? Where some milestone achievements have been recorded, it is important to celebrate success as this goes a long way in building a change culture within the organisation. There is no doubt that regular reviews of any change process or output is a valuable tool that drive continuous improvement.
The fifth step in managing change is to evaluate the change by measuring and reporting the results, outcomes, and impacts of the change. You need to have a clear and relevant set of indicators and metrics that align with your vision and goals. You also need to have a systematic and transparent process of data collection, analysis, and reporting that informs and influences decision making. You can use tools such as balanced scorecards, surveys, and dashboards to help you evaluate the change.
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Antonio Sadaric
Strategic HR Development @ Rimac Technology | PhD, Leadership & Org Transformation | Sustainable High-Quality Relationship Cultures | Innovating Corporate Learning and Leadership Development | Workplace Anthropology
Managing change from planning to evaluation is like directing a film. To effectively evaluate the change, approach it as if you're the director reviewing the final cut. Start by defining clear success metrics and objectives, akin to setting the scene and script for the film. Throughout the change process, play the role of the director, ensuring that every element aligns with the overarching vision. When it's time for evaluation, review the change's performance with a critical eye, much like a director scrutinizes the final edit. Analyze the impact on key performance indicators and gather feedback, treating it as a film premiere where audience reactions matter.
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Melissa Thibodeaux
Award-Winning Workforce Development and Engagement Consultant | Empowering Business Success with Strategic HR Brilliance | Revenue Growth 140K to $4M in < 3 Years
Evaluation of the change process itself is critical to the organizational learning process! A “learning organization” will act quickly after a change initiative to capture fresh perspectives on the change process: Focus groups, surveys, individual interviews, knowledge sharing… recording, documenting and brainstorming about what worked and would could have gone better. “The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” -Michael Porter
The sixth and final step in managing change is to adjust the change by reviewing and revising your plan, strategy, and actions based on your evaluation findings and feedback. You need to have a flexible and agile approach that allows you to adapt and respond to changing needs, expectations, and opportunities. You also need to have a collaborative and innovative culture that encourages and enables experimentation, creativity, and risk taking. You can use tools such as PDCA cycle, brainstorming, and prototyping to help you adjust the change.
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Casey Bitzberger
Strategy and Ops Program Manager @ LinkedIn | American Expat in London
You don't know what you don't know. You know? During the execution process, there will always be a margin of error or something that could have been better version of what it was. So taking the time to evaluate change once it has been implemented is essential to success. Setup a retrospective, identify the wins and the learnings, make a plan, and execute phase 2 to further support what didn't quire measure up in phase 1. Most importantly, never ever take anything personally. Errors are always easier to spot than successes and for every issue that occurs there are 100 more that were avoided.
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Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye
Accomplished strategist and change expert |Top 45 influential women in digital transformation |Leading voice in organizational leadership | Leader in consumer goods, retail and eCommerce |Speaker, mentor and board member
My personal experience has taught me the importance of ensuring that a plan is in sync with the business activities and project plans. The pace at which change is implemented can have significant financial implications, whether it is too sluggish or excessively rapid. By carefully considering the impact of change and aligning it with the overall business strategy, organizations can minimize financial risks and maximize the potential benefits of change.
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Sandeep Kumar
Sr. Director of Engg., Head - Engg.
Its best to put a robust process in place to plan, execute, monitor and evaluate changes. The change should align with organisations vision and its impact thoroughly analysed before hand. It’s important to get buy-in from the team for the change and team should know how the change would help them grow and succeed individually along with the organisation. The process should have proper feedback mechanism in place to take corrective steps on time.
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Rajlain H. Qazi
LinkedIn Top Voice 🏆 I Director I FCA (xPwC) I 10+ Yrs Exp. I Financial Reporting (IFRS) I Audit I Taxation I Learning Consultant I Leadership Development I Organizational Development
In the hustle and bustle of today's world, change isn't just a concept; it's our everyday reality. Whether we label this era as VUCA, BANI, RUPT, or TUNA, one thing remains constant: change. The notion of change has evolved from being a rare disruption to a steady stream of 'new situations.' I believe it’s about time to move beyond rigid change management approaches and prioritize nurturing agile teams. Teams that aren't just skilled in technical areas or selected human skills, but teams that are resilient and ready to tackle whatever comes their way.
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Syed Muhammad Tabish
Critical Thinker | SaaS Marketing Expert | Creative Brand & Content Strategist | Enthusiastic Sales & Marketing Guru | Strategic Reputation Management Pro | Growth Hacker 🚀✨
Simple without any melodrama: Navigating change effectively requires a structured approach that encompasses planning, communication, implementation, and evaluation. Establish a clear change plan, engage stakeholders, monitor progress, and adapt as needed. Embrace a culture of continuous learning, celebrate achievements, and maintain a human-centered focus to ensure successful change management.
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Soufiane Hamdaoui
I help founders to lead high-performance organisations | MBA | Founder @anima | PhD Candidate
In my experience, 'The Change' should not be seen as different from 'The Project'. When defining the Project Scope, the Change Scope and the Change plan should also be drafted. It might be that a separate Change Manager is appointed, yet it should be as an integral part of the project. Often, a Change Manager is called upon when the project is already in execution. That is too late, since you need the involvement and engagement of those concerned before the kick-off.
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