Change management is an organized approach to manage the conversion or revolution of an organisation’s objectives, operations or technologies. The aim of change management is to execute means for effecting modification, controlling change and serving individuals to adapt to change. Such ways involves organized procedure for demanding a change and processes for acknowledging the requests and follow ups.
Importance of Change Management
Before moving on to change management tools and techniques it is important to understand how change management contributes in efficient performance of an organisation. A crucial part of what makes sensible corporations nimble is the ability to balance quick action and alter with organisational certainty, solidity and framework. This brings to mind a vivid metaphor: nimbleness is sort of a kid that may simply be shaped into becoming a well-balanced adult given clear steerage and a secure environmental structure to bring up. Nevertheless, all organisations cannot be compared to a nimble kid, and some, particularly massive older organisations have the toughest time in handling change.
It is therefore important to describe change in your very own scenario in order to efficiently practice change management tools and techniques. Each member of the organisation should completely understand and encourage the changes to be implemented. However, it is not necessary for every single person to agree on the changes as it is nearly impossible and making it possible will slow down the progress.
Change Management Tools and Techniques
Change management tools are the backbone of the change management process. These are:
Flowchart
Flowcharts are the diagrammatic or graphical representation of any process and make them easy to understand. In simpler words, it simplifies the complex processes and makes them easy to interpret. Flowcharts are an easy mean to make people understand the current position of the organisation and where it wants to be. First of all the managers draw the current processes precisely, detect wastes in the process and locate where rework is undergoing, which was not visible before. In this way they can clearly identify which changes are required to enhance the processes.
After flowcharting the ongoing processes, process improvement takes over to detect the problems and deliberate ingenious and creative solutions to overcome those problems. Then a new flowchart is made that depicts the new innovative process. In this way, all the members of the corporation are able to cope up with the changes implemented.
Culture Mapping
Culture mapping is another useful and important change management tool. Culture of an organisation means the way they do their things. Every organisation sets its own principles, perceptions, inferences and disciplines. All of these paradigms collectively refer to the culture of an organisation.
The personnel responsible for carrying out a change in the organisation must be aware of all the cultural norms so that the changes are in conformance with the organisational goals and objectives. At times these paradigms are so intensely ingrained that they are the biggest obstacle in bringing change. Therefore, for change management it is necessary to change these norms first.
Data Collection and Metrics
Assembling the correct data and information can be a crucial step in change management, which is why some people wiggle at the thought of calculation. In fact, data collection is a very important tool in change management because the data collected tells how the organisation has been doing in the past and its current position in the competitive market. All these facts make change management easier and also shortens the decision making time.
The useful data is then represented in the metrics form that is easy to interpret. Supplementary metrics particular to your method are also important, however these are root measures that reveal about the process improvement. For Example, cycle time, range of cycle time, throughput, errors, number of FTE’S etc.
Project Planning
Project planning is considered to be another essential and efficient change management tool. Having a precise and evident project plan is important to focus on change management. It is used as a scheme that tells about the flexibilities and boundaries in the change management. Usually for bringing out a change in an organisation, many people from different departments are involved, therefore a clear project plan is required to keep all of them on track simultaneously.
If you are interested in support with a change or implementation of a quality management system, then our ISO 9001 consultants are happy to help with your project. Please contact us for a free consultation on how we can support with your project.
