espi Communication Board

This week we discuss Change Management as it relates to your ERP implementation.  However if changes are occurring in your organization – strategic changes, tactical changes, leadership changes, technology changes – then those changes are going to have impacts and effects on your people and processes. To help minimize those impacts and effects, from having unintended negative outcomes, it is necessary to have “change management” methodologies in place with skilled resources delivering and executing on those methodologies, principles and processes.  Change itself is a process – managing it, leading it, achieving it is also a process and one that should not be viewed and managed with a one size fits all approach. Approaches and actions should be customized to fit your organizational circumstances.

9. Change Management

What it Means: Change Management is systematic application of knowledge, tools, and resources to guide an organization through significant changes. 

Why it Matters: ERP system implementations are not just technology projects – they are people projects. These initiatives provide managers and workers with new tools, inherently changing the way they do their jobs. They are being asked to change old, ingrained habits and it is only human nature to resist that change if no one has explained the problems, the desired results or even bothered to ask for your input. Not surprisingly, it is the “people dynamics” that determines whether these projects are successful or not. Many businesses don’t take it seriously, viewing change management as unnecessary or even “fluff”, and it derails their implementation.

Change management tools help organizations anticipate the amount and speed of change so as to effectively manage that change. Leadership, communication, risk management, education, and training are key aspects to ensure that the organization is “Ready, Willing, and Able” to tackle the changes.

Next Week: #10 Sustaining Change