Understanding Change Management

When change is implemented in an organization, there is often resistance. This resistance often stems from people's fear - of change in the work itself, of change in the process of completing work, or of the possibility that the change may result in the loss of their job. As a result, managers and organizational leaders should have a strategic approach to enabling change that ensures it is maximally effective in the organization.

Change management is the study of how to integrate changes without damaging the organizational culture or efficiency. At its core, change management is about knowing strategically what to change and how to manage the human element of this process. Change management is broken into 4 elements:

  1. Recognize the changes in the broader business environment
  2. Develop the necessary adjustments for the company's needs
  3. Train employees on the appropriate changes
  4. Win the support of employees

Note that a central theme of change management revolves around training and supporting employees. This is a critical managerial responsibility for enabling change.