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Mapping an effective change programme.

Article Excerpt
[check] This checklist provides an introduction for anyone planning to implement change within the organisation. It covers any type of change programme. Its aim is to assist in the planning process by covering the basic building blocks of change.

While the pace of change may vary within organisations, there will be no remission in the extent of change in the world outside. This checklist is intended to help organisations accept change as an integral part of the management agenda, whether such change is driven by external forces such as economic or market trends, or internal forces, such as those accompanying a total quality management programme.

Definition

The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines change as "making or becoming different". While this may be too vague most management dictionaries do not attempt to tackle a definition.

Managing change involves accomplishing a transition from A to B and handling the problems which arise in getting there.

Change will result as a consequence of the interaction between equipment (technology), processes (working procedures), organisation structure and people. A change to one of these four elements will inevitably lead to changes to the others, because the organisation is a living, evolving system.

Action checklist

1. Think the change through

Read a book which tackles change management; for example, John Kotter--A Force for Change or Rosabeth Moss Kanter--The Change Masters. Reading a book will take a day or two--the change process itself that you are trying to manage will take longer and cost a lot more--especially if you get it wrong.

Ask what kind of change may be involved...

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