change mangement context

Question 1

what is change?

Answer 1

It is about moving from one position of stability to another, whether this is an individual learning something or a large organization restructuring.

Question 2

why is change so important?

Answer 2

it’s important that we as individuals and as organizations improve what we do and how we do it, otherwise we’re stagnating.

Pete:
And organizations that don’t keep up with their competitors don’t survive that long!

Change also has to deliver some benefits.

Lower costs or better revenues or both!

Paul:
So it’s crucial for long term success to deliver change effectively.

Question 3

The research indicates that up to 70-80% of change initiatives

Answer 3

do not generate the kind of value that was expected.

Question 4

There is some difficulty with the measures and criteria used so it is difficult to

Answer 4

absolutely identify the exact failure rates and therefore the common causes of failure.

Question 5

Studies have shown that organizations that are effective in change management have

Answer 5

success rates of over 80%, the complete opposite of the general case.

It is clear from the evidence that change management can be learnt, adopted and the success of change initiatives improved substantially.

Question 6

The best evidence of these failure rates comes in

Answer 6

apocryphal evidence from CEO’s, project and change managers.

Question 7

There are a number of factors that contribute towards successful change, in no particular order they are:

Answer 7

• Understand the complexity of the change and plan accordingly
• Use a robust change management method and link that to the project management method
• Build skills and knowledge in all staff relevant to the change
• Invest in change management

Question 8

In this session we have:

Answer 8

• Reviewed the structure of this course
• Seen the format of the foundation exam for this subject
• Examined what change means and why we need change, and
• Identified some factors for successful change including;
  
  • Understanding and planning accordingly
  • Use a robust method
  • Improve staff skills and knowledge, and
  • Invest in change.

Question 8

The studies also indicate the need to:

Answer 8

• Understand the capability and capacity for change in the organization
• Communicate effectively with all those impacted
• Be clear about the benefits expected of the change.