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Implementing an effective change programme.

Article Excerpt
This checklist is intended for those who have mapped a change programme for the organisation [Checklist 38 deals with mapping an effective change programme] and are now ready to implement it. It provides pointers to the issues you will need to consider in bringing in change, rather than providing a detailed implementation schedule: this will vary according to the organisation and the nature of the change.

Definition

This checklist covers any type of major change programme within an organisation. These range from those driven by external forces--changes in the market; in customer demands; in legislation or regulation--to those which are internally driven, for example, to accompany a total quality management programme.

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 cause changes to the others, because the organisation is a living, evolving system.

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

Action Checklist

1. Agree the implementation strategy

The strategy needs to be clear before you begin to embark on change. Is implementation going to be top-down or bottom-up or a mix of both? Will the change be made by division, by department or in a 'big bang' approach?

2. Agree...