Which change model is right for your organisation? Part 2

In the previous post we explored some of the aspects of popular change models, but today in Part 2 we are going to take you through the questions you should ask BEFORE you start looking at your change model options. It could save you time, money and effort!

Unfortunately in many organisations, people jump to solutions too fast, attracted by the 'shiny,shiny' aspect rather than following a thought process where options are considered.

1) Are you clear on what problem you are trying to solve? 

This is one of my favourite questions by far. And I ask this often, when I am invited to meetings where a decision has been made yet there seems to be confusion about what the purpose of the new product, process or policy is. Be clear on what problem or problems you are looking to solve with the introduction of a change model. It could be increasing staff engagement, improving strategic decision making by better understanding impacts of changes being introduced, or achieving better outcomes from programs. Best to be clear from the outset and it also assists the person who is assessing the various models.

 2) Is your organisation ready for a change management model? There are a number of indicators that you might want to be present before trying to introduce a change model. Do you have strong appetite at a senior level to introduce a change model? When you are perceived to add in a new way of approaching how to manage change and introducing a standard change model, no matter which one you choose you will have detractors and resistors. So you want to have a strong Executive sponsor, with the majority of the group supporting you, when tough conversations happen and tools need to be used.If you don't have the strong Executive sponsorship you will struggle every day and not achieve the value of your investment in time, cost and effort.

Another indicator is how well project or program management discipline is being accepted into the organisation. Change management is the partner discipline to good project management, so having a framework that the model can leverage and integrate with is a positive indicator you want to look for. The other discipline which change works well with is Customer Experience and Human Centred Design teams. So assessing maturity in those areas and the approach in general is also something to observe.

3) What is the size of your annual change agenda? Are you making incremental, smaller changes or do you have some larger transformations taking place which is why you need a change model to be introduced? The investment in a model should take this into account. Thus when discussing some of the models in my podcast Next Level Change success, I talk about how size of your organisation and the cost of your ongoing change programs should be a factor in your ratio of investment into a model. 

4) What is the size of the investment you are willing to make and for how long? As Steven Covey said, 'Start with the end in mind'. Be clear whether the change discipline is one in which your organisation is willing to invest in for the long term, not just in the change model space but in capability building Ove the long term. If not, then the approach you may want to take is not to have a model at all, but to buy in the change skills when needed.

5) Do you have a team who can introduce the model and discipline, with appropriate coaching with a 2-3 year commitment?

Yes, that is what it takes to introduce a change model across an organisation. Linking it to existing disciplines and processes takes time. I have seen and been part of progressive maturity and it takes at least a clean 24 month runway. Not many organisations give amount of time uninterrupted but having an expert team who are committed for at least that amount of time is what it takes.

So these are just five key questions to ask and explore prior to looking at a change model for your organisation. Did this peak your curiosity as to what is out there and if you want to discuss this further just reach out. You could also take our Enterprise Maturity assessment quiz to find out where your organisation is up to in its journey to change maturity.