What is change management? 

Change management is a structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organisations from one state (the current) to a desired state (the aim). Change can take place for a number of reasons. It can be driven by factors like technological advancements, market conditions evolving, organisational restructuring, or even changes in government regulations. For successful change, you need to apply a number of processes, tools, and techniques to effectively manage the impact.  

Change management isn’t just about implementing new systems or processes, but it’s about managing all the people (stakeholders) involved. It’s about setting clear expectations, roles, practices and processes that are required to prepare and support your stakeholders through the transition. You need to communicate well, provide training, and create a supportive environment to ensure that people adapt to the change successfully. 

Importance of change management 

Change is inevitable in any organisation, and without proper management, it can lead to resistance, confusion, and ultimately failure. Change management is crucial because it ensures your projects are aligned to the overall strategic objectives of the organisation.   

One of the key benefits of change management is that it helps to reduce resistance to change. People are naturally resistant to change, as it disrupts their routines and introduces uncertainty. Change management strategies help you to address these concerns by involving your stakeholders in the change process, providing clear communication, and addressing their fears and concerns. 

Another important aspect of change management is that it helps you to ensure that the desired outcomes of the change are achieved. By using structured processes and tools, you can plan and execute change in a systematic manner, increasing the chances of success. Change management also helps organisations to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments along the way. 

Change management and stakeholder management  

Effective stakeholder management is important to the success of change initiatives. As we’ve outlined, change management involves strategically managing relationships with your stakeholders and groups affected by the change. Stakeholders hold significant influence over the trajectory of projects, making their engagement crucial and the way you handle that relationship is vital for success.  

For positive stakeholder management, it’s important to communicate well. Understanding and identifying how the change is going to affect the roles of people within your organisation will help you to communicate with them better and alleviate any concerns they might have. By fostering open communication and building strong relationships, you can be proactive in managing the expectations of the changes you’re trying to make. When people understand the reasons behind change, they’re also more likely to align to those changes and contribute to the overall success of them too. 

What is a typical change management process? 

The change management process typically consists of several stages, including: 

1. Identify the need for change 

The first step you’ll take in the change management process is to identify the need for change. The reason for the change could be organisational restructuring or even just the implementation of new technology to your business. This could be triggered by external factors such as changes in the market or internal factors such as improving efficiency or addressing organisational challenges. 

2. Develop a change management plan 

Once you’ve identified the need for change, a change management plan can be developed. This plan outlines the objectives, scope, timeline, and resources required for the change. It should also identify the key stakeholders and their roles in the change process. 

3. Communicate the change 

Effective communication is crucial during the change management process. It’s important to clearly communicate your reasons for change, the benefits it will bring, and how it will impact individuals and teams. Communication should be ongoing and include multiple channels such as meetings, emails, and training sessions. 

4. Implement the change 

Once you’ve developed and communicated the change management plan, the next step is to implement the change. This might involve introducing new systems, processes, or organisational structures. It’s important to provide support, training, and resources to help individuals and teams adapt to the change. 

5. Monitor and evaluate 

Once you’ve implemented the change, it’s important to monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. This involves measuring the outcomes, gathering feedback from employees, and making necessary adjustments. Continuous monitoring and evaluation help to ensure that your changes are successful and that the desired outcomes are achieved. 

Examples of change management scenarios  

Change management is necessary in various scenarios across different industries. Let's explore a few examples: 

1. Implementation of new technology: When you decide to adopt a new software system, change management is crucial to ensure a smooth transition. This involves providing training to employees, addressing their concerns, and monitoring the adoption of the new technology. 

2. Organisational restructuring: When you undergo a major restructuring, change management is essential to manage the impact on employees. This includes communicating the reasons behind the restructuring, addressing concerns, and providing support to affected individuals.  

3. Mergers and acquisitions: When your organisation merges with another, or one acquires the other, change management plays a vital role in integrating the two entities. This involves aligning processes, cultures, and systems while ensuring minimal disruptions to daily operations. 

Techniques for effective change management 

Implementing effective change management requires the use of various techniques and strategies. Here are some techniques that can help organisations manage change more effectively: 

1. Engage and involve employees 

One of the key techniques for effective change management is for you to engage and involve employees in the change process. You can do this by communicating the reasons for the change, soliciting feedback and ideas, and involving employees in decision-making. When employees feel a sense of ownership and involvement, they’re more likely to embrace the change and contribute to its success.  

2. Provide clear communication 

Clear and consistent communication is essential during periods of change. It’s important you communicate the reasons for the change, the benefits it will bring, and how it will impact individuals and teams. Communication should be ongoing and involve multiple channels such as meetings, emails, and training sessions. It’s also important to address any concerns or fears that employees may have and provide regular updates on the progress of the change. 

3. Offer training and support 

Change often requires employees to learn new skills or adapt to new processes. Providing comprehensive training and support to your teams is important for ensuring a smooth transition. Training should be tailored to the specific needs of employees, and you should provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the new environment. You should also provide ongoing support to address any challenges or issues that arise during the change process.  

4. Foster a supportive culture 

Creating a supportive culture is key for successful change management. This involves creating and encouraging an environment where employees feel safe to express their concerns, ask questions, and seek support. You need to ensure leaders lead by example and demonstrate a positive attitude towards change. Recognising and celebrating small wins along the way can also help to maintain morale and momentum during the change process. 

These techniques, when applied effectively, can help you navigate through change more smoothly and increase the likelihood of success. 

Why software is important for change management 

In the rapidly evolving project economy we find ourselves in, change management software is an indispensable tool. These software solutions offer a centralised platform that facilitates planning, execution, and monitoring of change initiatives. With a wide range of capabilities including project management, communication tools, and analytics, they streamline the entire change management process. 

By leveraging change management software, you can gain real-time visibility into the progress of your change initiatives. It allows you to track key milestones, allocate resources efficiently, and identify potential roadblocks, empowering them to make well-informed, data-driven decisions that ensure the success of the change. 

Change management software fosters collaboration and effective communication among stakeholders. It serves as a platform for sharing information, engaging employees, and gathering valuable feedback. This level of transparency not only keeps everyone aligned and well-informed throughout the change process but also promotes a culture of trust and inclusivity.  

Change management software tools 

There are several change management software tools available that can help you streamline and automate your change management processes. These tools offer features such as project planning, workflow management, communication and collaboration, reporting and analytics. Here’s a few popular change management software tools: 

Fluid Strategic Change Software 

 is a comprehensive project and portfolio management tool that includes change management functionality. It offers features such as project planning, resource management, task tracking, and collaboration tools. With Fluid, organisations can effectively manage their change initiatives, track progress, and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.  

Wrike 

Wrike is an alternative project management tool that proves valuable for change management. Equipped with task and resource management, real-time collaboration, and customisable workflows, Wrike empowers teams to maintain organisation and focus during periods of change. The platform also boasts advanced reporting capabilities, enabling teams to monitor progress and swiftly address any bottlenecks or issues that may arise throughout the change process.  

Jira  

Jira Software, a widely used project management tool, serves not only as a means to manage projects but also facilitates efficient change management. With a range of features including issue tracking, agile planning, and collaboration tools, Jira Software empowers organisations to effectively handle change requests, monitor progress, and implement changes in a structured and controlled manner.  

Change management is a critical component of organisational success. By implementing effective change management processes and tools, you can navigate through change more smoothly, minimise resistance, and ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved.   

If you want to improve your change management practices, try out Fluid PPM Software. With comprehensive project and portfolio management capabilities, it can help you streamline your change initiatives and ensure their successful implementation.  

Check out a Fluid demo today and experience the benefits of effective change management.