Essential Guide #1: The Change Plan

Sometimes change management can feel complicated - rooted in models, theories, and also abstract "people stuff". I'm here to tell you that while models and theories are great (and are needed)- there is simply no replacement for process and structure (and nothing is abstract in change). Today, I'm sharing five simple steps to building a change plan.

5 Steps to build a Change Plan

Step 1: Understand the Objective First, you need to pinpoint why this change is happening and how it aligns with your business strategy. Think about the big picture. Are you aiming to improve efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, or boost revenue? Understanding the objective ensures that everyone knows the "why" behind the change, making it easier to stay focused and motivated.

Step 2: Develop Measurable Goals Once you have a clear objective, break it down into specific, measurable goals. This means defining what success looks like in tangible terms. For example, if your objective is to enhance customer service, a measurable goal could be reducing customer response times by 30% within six months. Measurable goals give you something concrete to aim for and a way to track your progress.

Step 3: Plan Your Change Management Activities Next, outline the activities that will help you achieve these goals. This includes training programs, communication plans, and stakeholder engagement strategies (to name a few).

Step 4: Visualize the Plan A good plan needs to be visible and understandable by everyone involved. Use tools like Gantt charts, roadmaps, or timelines to lay out your change activities. This visualization helps everyone see the sequence of events, deadlines, and key milestones. It keeps the team on the same page and makes it easier to track progress

Step 5: Keep Stakeholders Informed Regular updates keep stakeholders informed and engaged. Effective communication ensures that everyone knows what’s happening, what’s coming next, and how they can contribute to the change process. It also helps to build trust and reduce resistance.

Change Plan.pdf

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There you have it!

Creating a change plan is about connecting strategy to execution. It’s not just about what needs to change, but how you’re going to make it happen and how you’ll bring everyone along with you. By following the five steps I've outlined above, you can manage a change initiative in a structured and achievable way.

You can read my essential guide to building an internal communications plan here