Leading a larger change? This process is tailored for smaller-scale initiatives, but if you're managing a more complex or unit-wide change, our comprehensive framework can help.
The Process of Change Management
Small-Scale Change
Phase 1: PLANNING the Change
Start With the Basics:
What is changing?
Why are we changing it?
Why now?
What would happen if we don’t?
How does this align with our organization's overall strategy?
Select a Project Approach: Will your change initiative have phases? Or maybe tracks/mini projects? How do you want to chunk it down into manageable components?
Create a Simple Visual: Create a 1–2-page infographic to visually communicate what is changing, why it is changing, and what your team can expect (with a high-level timeline).
Scope the Project: Bundle planned changes together and name your change initiative. Include (as appropriate) organizational structure, culture, technology, process, and physical space.
Phase 2: ANNOUNCING the Change
Start with managers: Make sure that leadership, managers, and supervisors are aware of the coming change.
Meet directly with employees: Meet directly with employees to introduce the change, answer questions, address concerns, and gather feedback. Keep it high level; details will come later. And let your team know that you will provide opportunities for them to contribute input along the way on the "how".
Phase 3: IMPLEMENTING the Change
Launch the project: Kick off the change initiative, making sure everyone is clear about their role in the project.
Create a plan: Identify major milestones and who will do what by when.
Pay attention to your people: Keep an eye out and an ear open for feedback on how your team is feeling about the change.
Communicate progress: Let everyone know how the change is going.
Phase 4: SUSTAINING Outcomes
Celebrate successes: Acknowledge both individual employees and teams who are successfully using new behaviors that reinforce the change. And take corrective actions where needed.
Ensure the change sticks: Implement policies, structures, and support systems to ensure the new behaviors and processes become your team’s way of doing things.
Need help with a change initiative? Contact us at oe-leader@uiowa.edu. Our change management experts are available for a consultation (at no cost).