Implementing process improvements can only be successful if the people within your organization are involved with the change. Management and executives may have innovative ideas to improve operational processes that provide great benefits to employees and enhance the work environment but little can be accomplished unless you let your employees be a part of how that change gets rolled out. The key factor in executing a sustainable Business Transformation Initiative is employing a change management approach that engages your employees throughout the process to assist with designing and implementing the change.
The Prosci ADKAR Change Management Model is an effective tool that can be used to guide change initiatives and build sustainable practices within your company. The model enables managers and executives to determine what specific goals and outcomes to focus on in order to drive acceptance for change throughout your organization.
The Change Management Model views the different stages of an individual’s journey through change and determines the most effective communication for each phase. In order to effectively execute change, you need to navigate your employees through each stage. To use the model you must first asses where they are in the five stages of change before you can understand the type of communication that they will need to receive prior to moving to the next phase. It is important to note that each member of your team may progress through the phases of change at a different pace, therefore change communications must be managed at an individual level as well as at a team level to be effective.
Below is a table outlining the five stages and recommendations on what you can do to support your employees through each stage:
| Stage | Key Objective | Action |
| Awareness | Do your employees understand the need for the change? | Communicate to your employees early in the process and provide them with opportunities to ask questions to build their understanding and trust in the project. Continue to update them as you move forward with the project to make the process less overwhelming and to show that you are keeping them informed about what is happening.
|
| Desire | Is there a desire or willingness among your employees to support and participate in the change initiative?
|
Create opportunities for employees to ask questions, share information and provide feedback. Stakeholder interviews can provide valuable insight while workshops with employees can help you to identify areas of opportunity to enhance and support the change initiative.
|
| Knowledge | Do your employee know what is required by them for the change initiative to take place?
|
Set expectations and clearly outline responsibilities and processes required for installing the change initiative. Reviewing how the change will be executed prior to implementation allows employees to visualize the process and mentally prepare for the change.
|
| Ability | Are your employees equipped with the skills, knowledge and support needed to install the change initiative?
|
Provide the necessary training and support to ensure that you are setting up your employees for success. Review processes and expectations with your employees prior to implementation to ensure a smooth transition.
|
| Reinforcement | How will you sustain the implemented change and foster a culture of continuous improvement? | Use a visual board to display daily and weekly performance metrics to communicate to your employees the effectiveness of the improvements. Managers should regularly check in with their employees to monitor variances to the project plan and resolve issues to fine-tune the change initiative.
|
Successful business transformation cannot be achieved without an effective change management plan. When you involve your employees in process improvement, the outcome is a better informed process design and a higher rate of adoption. Involving your employees throughout the lifecycle of a change initiative helps to foster a culture of trust. This will in turn strengthen the organizations ability to adapt to change to support the growth and evolution of the company.
If you are considering a business transformation and would like a review of your Change Management Plan, we are here to help. Contact us today.
