When you are joining a project there are three priority things to do:

1) Don't assume that the project manager knows what a Change Manager actually does. Everyone knows that assuming anything makes an 'ass' out of 'me' and 'u', so be sure to ask the question of the project manager as to whether they have worked with a Change manager before. This will help you to understand their perspective and possibly past experiences - positive or negative when working with other Change Managers. One of the biggest negative gripes about Change Managers is that they don't 'do' anything. Unfair to say the least but it is also pointless being a Change Manager who decides to teach Change theory to a project manager who doesn't want to listen. You earn trust and respect by doing, delivering, listening and learning. So if that is the case it you will need to press the 'reset' button with the project manager, and agree on roles and responsibilities.

2) Meet with the Project sponsor to understand their ex...

Learn why Change Management is critical for any business undergoing change. While many people will use the term 'Change Management', the discipline still remains a mystery to most people. Watch this 20 minute video and you will be stepped through Change Management, why it exists today and the change process itself. 

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You need your team to work in a new way because you are automating processes with new technology, or you have changed the roles and functions in your team but haven't thought through how that will change your day to day work. Not only that but you haven't thought yet about how your team works with other areas or departments. Now you face spending the next 3 months working out all of the details and getting back on your feet. How could this have been avoided? Through the discipline called Change Management.

In business the main question you ask when looking at introducing something new, is 'how soon can we get this in?'. A better question would be 'how long will it take to get to the end state we are pitching for?'. Another great question is 'what will the return on my investment be'?, even on projects that are mandated from the powers that be. Whether it be changing the way you do things, introducing new products, or modifying existing products with tightening profit margins and decre...