A recipe for change you can be thankful for.

In the coming weeks, our country will collectively take time to gather, appreciate, reflect, and breathe.?We will share time, laughter, memories, maybe some gifts and definitely good food.?As we move into this holiday season, Alchemy.us ’s Center of Excellence shares with you a few key ingredients in our recipe for change management.

Engagement.?Without it, the anticipated success of the software implementation could ultimately be classified a failure.?Sure, both the functional and technical project teams have been involved – but, what about others at the institution/organization??Below is what engagement looks like in the context of a change management journey:

• Apprise all stakeholders of the what-why-when-how all along the way
• Create/market (existing) opportunities for people to ask questions and share thoughts/concerns
• Develop active collaboration and communication among project team members
• Celebrate and acknowledge milestones, as well as successes over challenges
• Remember change aversion will grow into curiosity, understanding and acceptance

Another key ingredient in the recipe for a successful change strategy is the development of sustainable post-production support.?Leaving this out of the overall project’s change management plan would be like forgetting the milk with your cookies.?Best practices include:

• Develop a peer network and team of subject matter experts to support stakeholders
• Establish a centralized repository of self-guided training resources
• Promote the support plan and training opportunities to stakeholders
• Cultivate a governance group to periodically review and update training materials
• Conduct end-user adoption assessment
• Review change management strategy post-mortem to identify successes and opportunities

Implementation can feel like heavy work that leaves us uncertain of accomplishments.?Much like the holiday season, a key piece in the change management process is celebration.?Calling out where we have been and what we have done allows teams to see progress, feel motivated, regain momentum, and stave off fatigue.?Here are a few ways to get your project parties started:

• Purchase project/institution-specific swag to disseminate
• Share a snack/meal as part of a concerted effort (i.e. Do not dismay! Testing is today! Ice-cream for Testing!)
• Acknowledge/thank publicly team and individual accomplishments
• Bonus teams with gift cards and/or cash
• Recognize birthdays and other personal milestones
• Standardize flex hours

All-inclusive engagement, sustainable post-production support and celebration are three key ingredients Alchemy’s Center of Excellence includes in our recipe for successful change management.?We recognize there are many others, though.?Do not be left bringing the fruitcake this holiday season – share a few of your favorite change management elements with us in the comments!

Alchemy Center of Excellence Article Chefs

Becky Bradley, EdD : Consultant, Change Management - Alchemy

Carl Gilmore : Senior Consultant, Change Management - Alchemy

Jeanette M. Magee : Consultant, Change Management - Alchemy

Corey Loucy : Senior Consultant, Change Management - Alchemy

Ling Tizon : Director, Change Management - Alchemy

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