Team Building Tips

It's no secret that an organization's ability to continually improve how it operates has become an essential competitive aspect of doing business. Organizations that successfully design and manage transitions to improved ways of doing things - that is, effectively manage the change - grow and profit faster than those that do not.

Change management is a holistic and structured way of assessing needs, developing new ways of working, and implementing them. Initiatives that work well involve all the right people. They include training and communication that get everyone pulling in the same direction. And ultimately, they create an environment that supports continued development of value-adding processes and the behaviors that support them.

In today's lean organizations, there are often few internal resources to help managers plan and implement a change project. The good news is, when you're asked to handle a change-related project, such as a new information system, customer service techniques or quality control methods, there are "common denominator" activities that stack the odds of success in your favor. Here are a few examples of things you can do in the project start-up, change design and implementation stages.

1. Build A Case: Unless you've been provided with a rationale and expected results, you'll need to clarify these issues. And communicate them so your team understands why the project is needed, how soon, and what the benefits will be.

2. Identify Barriers: What are the most significant hurdles you'll need to overcome? Do people need upgraded tools, such as computers or software, to handle the new work process? Is there a high level of resistance - a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset? Identifying the biggest threats to success will help you dedicate resources to the right remedies.

3. Define Roles: Nothing breeds chaos like a lack of structure. Determine what skill-sets will be needed to bring the change about. Assign individuals to handle clearly defined aspects of the change project.

4. Create A Timetable: Inventory all the activities associated with the change project. Be sure to include all the individuals and groups affected by the change. Then set up a matrix showing who needs to do what, and when. Consider it your "road map" and share it with everyone involved.

5. Measure Success: Define the criteria that will indicate whether the change has successfully been implemented and if it is delivering the expected results. Build periodic checkpoints into your project timeline. And don't forget to communicate the results to everyone with a stake in the project.

See our Change Management Services! Scott is a strategic communications consultant with extensive experience managing and implementing programs that help drive workplace change, organization restructuring and employee performance improvement. His work has helped a number of well-known companies communicate effectively during mergers and acquisitions, integrate systems and processes, and infuse their cultures with a quality focus. For more information please visit http://www.aspenod.com