Change Management: An Overview

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(upbeat music) What is change management? Oxford University Press author Emma Jeans defines it as "a collective term for any actions related to changing an organization from one state to another, including planning, implementing, and reinforcing changes." But another important part is supporting employees through each stage. Change management originated in the 20th century as academics began to study how humans adjusted to environmental shifts. Since that time, the concept has grown into its own discipline, creating new jobs, certifications, software, metrics, and tracking systems. As change management is about helping people succeed in new conditions, it can require leadership skills and a strong awareness of your company's culture. There are many aspects to this kind of management because for many people, change can be unwelcome. Here are some examples of changes a business can face. Mergers, acquisitions, cultural shifts, relocation, layoffs, establishing new departments, and dissolving existing departments. To see the complexities that can come with a transition, let's say a company is implementing new procedures that use different technologies. If managers don't share this information or train the employees on how to use the new technologies, it could create confusion that affects productivity. And sometimes, even when changes are well-executed, it can take time for people to get used to them. Change management often requires communicating why changes are being made so employees understand how new procedures and policies relate to the company's mission. If you've ever asked why something is done a certain way, the reply may have been, "Because that's the way we've always done it." Or perhaps you received an answer like, "It's better this way." Hearing these sorts of responses, it can be difficult to tell why an organization chooses certain procedures to follow, which gives the impression leadership might not fully understand how daily operations support the company's goals. When trying something different, it can help for the change management process to include educating workers on the motivations behind it, training them on necessary skills, monitoring progress, and helping people adjust. When people have insight into what's happening, the reasons for it, and how to meet their job demands under the new circumstances, it can clarify expectations going forward. As a manager or HR professional, it's important that you understand all aspects of change management so you can help your employees through a transition. You can manage organizational shifts systematically with tools, models, and techniques to guide the company all along the way. As a leader, it's critical that you understand how to plan so that you can implement change effectively.