What Is Change Management and Why Is It Important?

Few things are constant in our world. Ironically, change is the one thing we can count on. Nothing stays the same forever and while we accept this is so, people, in general, are afraid of change. 

According to an Inc. article we fear what is new as it brings with it uncertainty and we tend to treat uncertainty in much the same way we do an error – we need to ‘fix’ it.

In the business world, change can ruin a company culture if a business manager does not implement the change carefully. You need “change management,” a specific method for bringing about change within a company. 

Keep reading to learn all the ins and outs of change management. 

What is Change Management? 

Change management refers to how a business manages any major changes to the building’s infrastructure.  

Something as simple as safety reviews can lead to organizational changes. 

Organizational change can refer to change in company culture, the company’s internal process, the infrastructure the company uses to operate, or the underlying technologies of the company. 

Organizational change management, thus, refers is a specific type of business change management in which a company leverages change which leads to a successful end. It typically consists of preparation, implementation, and follow-through. 

Change Management Process

In the preparation part of change management, the company will define the change and then select the change management team. The change management team then identifies management sponsorship. They secure the sponsor’s commitment, as well. 

In the implementation stage, the committee develops an implementation plan that includes appropriate metrics. The team then implements the change one stage at a time if possible.

You need to remember that change within a company is comparable to turning a barge. It takes time and power to make the change happen. Moving one step at a time allows the company employees to acclimate to the change gradually. 

The team then collects and analyzes data from the change. During analysis, the team will evaluate the change gaps and seek to understand any company’s resistance.

Follow-through happens when the committee creates a modified plan and implement the plan back in the implementation step. 

How to Deal With Resistance to Change

A good “how to change management” guide anticipates the resistance that comes with every change. Resistance is any obstacle that prevents you from implementing the necessary changes.

Groups and individuals alike can impede progress. However, outdated systems and processes can cause the same impediment. 

You can best deal with resistance by stopping it before it starts. Create and affirm a need for change within the company. Let people see the need for a change.

Make sure you’ve dedicated an adequate amount of resources to the change to allow it to happen smoothly. Also, create a way to monitor the progress of the change. 

Stay committed to the change. Your commitment to finishing the job will give your team confidence in you and ultimately in the changes you’re implementing. 

Finally, make the management’s support of the change clear. Your team members need to see that leaders believe in the change. When they see this, team members are more likely to believe in change as well. 

Change Leads to Progress

Ultimately, change leads to progress, and that’s exciting, so with the right mindset, change brings about optimism for what might be or might happen. Limiting resistance to change within your company requires a purposeful change management plan. 

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