Change Management
Change management according to many becomes essential for the following reason: external pressure; which can encompass competition, new technology, cost, and regulation changes. Furthermore, economic and social conditions can escalate long-term change necessary. This paper will discuss several aspects of change management models, theories, and application thereof. In addition, it will provide overviews of the drivers of change, factors necessary for to implement change successfully, strategies and expectations of management, and leadership styles needed for influence and effectiveness.
Kurt Lewin's three-phase model of change is described as unfreeze, move or change, and refreeze. In simplified terms of most application, this means to allow the current process and procedures less constraints, then to make the adjustments toward the new vision or processes and procedure, finally to put in place new constraints for the new processes and procedures (McShane, 2003.)
The Burke-Litwin Model of Organizational Performance and Change is based on the idea, which theorizes the need to explore organizational functioning and organizational change. This theory is brought to light by describing how performance is affected and how effective change takes place. Furthermore, both in terms of content that coincides with the processes emphasizing the transformational and transactional changes to be made are given a value. Additional breakdown include how transformational change occurs as a response to the external environment and its effects on the organizations mission and strategy, the leadership of the organization and its culture. In turn, the transactional factors are the affected-structure systems, managem...
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... People skills: Change management Tools. Interfaces. Retrieved on December 9, 2004 from the University of Phoenix Apollo Library Infotrac Host database at http://www.apollolibrary.com
McShane, S. (2002.) Organizational Behavior, 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill Companies.
Organizational Development Network Retrieved on December 10, 2004 from http://www.odnet.org/toolkit/.php
Sligo, F. (2001). Managing Strategic Change: Technical, Political and Administration. The Journal of American Academy of Business. Retrieved on December 8, 2004 from the University of Phoenix Apollo Library EBSCO Host database at http://www.apollolibrary.com
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Often times when one hears the word “change” in any aspect of life, they are often, put off, and intimidated by the word itself and the intended implication. This is a normal and understandable reaction for anyone engaging in any type of change. In terms of organizational change, this type of behavior often seen as, but is not limited to pushback, resistance, lack in productivity, turnover, drop in overall customer service, etc by team members. Thus, as organizational leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that any change management implemented is smooth and has lasting benefits; by considering the impact on the organization as a whole and most importantly, the impact it will have on the team members within the
Leading Change was named the top management book of the year by Management General. There are three major sections in this book. The first section is ¡§the change of problem and its solution¡¨ ; which discusses why firms fail. The second one is ¡§the eight-stage process¡¨ that deals with methods of performing changes. Lastly, ¡§implications for the twenty-first century¡¨ is discussed as the conclusion. The eight stages of process are as followed: (1) Establishing a sense of urgency. (2) Creating the guiding coalition. (3) Developing a vision and a strategy. (4) Communicating the change of vision. (5) Empowering employees for broad-based action. (6) Generating short-term wins. (7) Consolidating gains and producing more changes. (8) Anchoring new approaches in the culture.
Change is never predictable, and does not follow specific steps in the models of change management. One needs to explore all models of change management, and find pieces useful to the organization allowing flexibility and not rigidly following a change model. The levels chosen are motivated by the approach to change, and the implementation of change will depend on the model used; however, basic steps are essential to both organizational and personal change.
The only constant in life is change. This statement is especially true within a business organization. Implementing change is a process and managers need to understand the various ways in which people react and respond to any changes made. Depending on how change is implemented, it can strengthen, weaken or stabilize a team or an organization. As managers, we must understand the dynamics of our team or organization and manage change effectively. I will explore two models of change. These two models, the Tuckman model and the Lewin model, focus on different aspects of change. Tuckman focused on team change and characteristics that a team exhibits during the change process while Lewin focus on initiating and guiding change within an organization. Although the focus of the models is on different aspects, both provide insight as to how a leader can provide support and assistance to the team or organization during the process (Cameron, 2012).
Podmoroff (n.d.) describes “When you manage change effectively, you can move your organization into the new "business as usual" state swiftly, and you'll find that other people are quick to accept change”. Change management is frequently directed by a powerful change management model; this provides people with a foundation that can be used to comprehend the process and what is expected of them (Connelly, n.d.). Kurt Lewin’s theory...
In today’s ever changing world people must adapt to change. If an organization wants to be successful or remain successful they must embrace change. This book helps us identify why people succeed and or fail at large scale change. A lot of companies have a problem with integrating change, The Heart of Change, outlines ways a company can integrate change. The text book Ivanceich’s Organizational Behavior and Kotter and Cohen’s The Heart of Change outlines how change can be a good thing within an organization. The Heart of Change introduces its readers to eight steps the authors feel are important in introducing a large scale organizational change. Today’s organizations have to deal with leadership change, change in the economy,
Change is inevitable and bound to happen in all aspects of life including business. Although change is important in an organization, it can also be seen as a strength and weakness. Effective leadership is about mastering change. One must be willing to change in order to grow and be successful. This paper will compare and contrast Kotter and Kurt Lewin step in their change management models. Furthermore, it will elaborate on the concepts and explain whether these methods can be used at the same time. In addition, this paper will include a Christian worldview of the information discussed and how it relates to the change management models.
The change process within any organization can prove to be difficult and very stressful, not only for the employees but also for the management team. Hayes (2014), highlights seven core activities that must take place in order for change to be effective: recognizing the need for change, diagnosing the change and formulating a future state, planning the desired change, implementing the strategies, sustaining the implemented change, managing all those involved and learning from the change. Individually, these steps are comprised of key actions and decisions that must be properly addressed in order to move on to the next step. This paper is going to examine how change managers manage the implementation of change and strategies used
Kotter, J. P. (2007). ‘Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail’. Harvard Business Review, January: 96-103.
This paper will be broken down into six sections profiling each critical part of implementing and managing change in an organization. The sections included are; outline for plan creating urgency, the approach to attracting a guiding team, a critique of the organizational profile, the components of change, and how to empower the organization.
Graetz, F., & Smith, A. C. T. (June 2010). Managing organizational change: A philosophies of change approach. Journal of Change Management 10(2), 135–154.
Change is a fundamental element of individuals, groups and all sorts of organizations. As it is the case for individuals, groups and societies, where change is a continuous process, composed of an indefinite amount of smaller sub-changes that vary in effect and length, and is affected by all sorts of aspects and events, many of which cyclic are anticipated ones. It is also the case for organizations, where change occurs repeatedly during the life cycle of organizations. Yet change in organizations is not as anticipated nor as predictable, with unexpected internal and external variables and political forces that can further complicate the management of change (Andriopoulos, C. and P. Dawson, 2009), which is by itself, the focus of many scholars in their pursuit to shed light on and facilitate the change process (Kotter 1996; Levin 1947; et al).
Changing situations throughout the world affect all organizations in business today. Therefore, most organizations acknowledge the need to experience change and transformation in order to survive. The key challenges companies face are due to the advancements in technology, the social environment caused by globalization, the pace of competition, and the demands regarding customer expectations. It is difficult to overcome the obstacles involved with change despite all the articles, books, and publications devoted to the topic. People are naturally resistant to fundamental changes and often intimidated by the process; the old traditional patterns and methods are no longer effective.
The transformation of a company requires hundreds, sometimes thousands of employees to adopt a new view of its future, a future they must regard as essential. Change management involves managing the process of achieving this future state. Change can be viewed from two vantage points, that of the people making the changes and that of the people experiencing the changes. In the top-down, or strategic viewpoint associated with management, the focus is on technical issues such as the investment required, the processes for implementing the change, how soon the change can be realized, and the outcome. In the bottom-up viewpoint of the employee, the focus is on what the change means to the ...
Robbins et al. (2011, p. 186), states ‘Change is an organizational reality and affects every part of a manager’s job’. Today’s wave of change primarily created by economic condition so change is now such a constant feature of organization life (Goodman, E. 2011, p.243). Organizations need to be changed at one point or another in structure, technology or people. These changes are defined as organizational change (Robbins et al. 2011, p.18). Organizational change is important because changes can increase effectiveness and efficiency, the innovation of products, services as well as dealing with changes in external and internal forces (Goodman, E. 2011, p.243). However, ‘the bottom line is that organizational change is difficult because management systems are design and people are rewarded for stability’ (Lawler, E.E. & Worley, C.G. 2006, p.11).