The importance of change management

When implementing new technology or changing a process that the team and organisation is used to, it is very important that we understand that change is uncomfortable and to take the necessary time to get everyone on board with the idea and not leave a team player behind.

Remember that, as one of the drivers of the change, we have had more time to get used to the new ways of thinking and doing, and that we need to be aware of the stages of transition (read more about this in the Next Steps activity) so that we can lead our team through it well.

A very helpful framework we can refer to, is the ADKAR Change Management framework.

Click on the headings below to learn more:

The first step involved in successfully steering a team through change is creating an understanding of why change is necessary and the benefits it will bring. This involves communicating the reasons for change and to cast a vision that everyone can get excited about.

Once people are aware of the need and reasons for change, they need to develop a personal desire or motivation to support the change. In this step, we spend time to understand and address any concerns that our teams may have about the change, or resistance towards the change and, through trust and relationship, we encouraging buy-in to the change.

In this stage, individuals need the knowledge and skills required to implement the change successfully, to use the new technology confidently or to follow the new process and not fall back into the old ways that they are used to. Continuous training and education are key components of this phase, and we would encourage you to make it fun and engaging.

This step is about building the practical capabilities to perform the new tasks or processes. It includes providing resources, tools, and support to help individuals apply their knowledge.

The ADKAR model is a reliable and helpful approach that serves as a framework, but it is up to you how you apply it. The more engaging and fun change management is, the higher the probability that we will draw people in and take them with us on the journey.

Do not do this on your own. Assign change champions to help you drive successful change in the organisation.

The importance of change management

1. Awareness

2. Desire

3. Knowledge

4. Ability

5. Reinforcement