Six keys to prepare for change

Key #1 - Identify change characteristics

Each change in your organization will be unique.  As a result the magnitude of the change management activities, the required sponsorship and your overall team structure will be unique as well - customized to your specific change.  Sizing the change and identifying your change characteristics is the first step to developing a high-level change management strategy. 

When sizing your change make sure to include the following areas:

• Scope of the change
• Number of individuals and groups impacted
• Type of change
• Amount of change

Each of the above factors will influence your change management strategy and dictate how much change management you need.  Everything from your sponsorship model to the necessary resources for managing change are affected by the factors listed above.  Once you have considered these factors, a change characteristics assessment will help you summarize your results and can be used to customize your change management strategy and activities.  A change characteristics assessment can be found in the Change Management Toolkit or Change Management Pilot.

Key #2 - Audience impact analysis

Summary

When preparing for change, identifying your change characteristics and analyzing the impact on your different audience groups is essential.  Without these first two key steps, you end up with a generic change management plan utilizing the same strategy for different audiences within your organization.  The first two keys allow you to begin customizing your change management plan and strategy to your specific change.  The next two keys will begin to customize your change management strategy and plans to fit your organization's culture and history.