Strategic Change Management: Identifying Needs, Prioritizing Opportunities, and Mitigating Risks

1.       Identify the needs for strategic change through analysis of strategic plans contrasted with the practices as defined in the case study. You may prefer to use SWOT analysis but this is optional.

2.       Discuss any patterns or trends in the external environment which impact on the achievement of the organizations change management objectives.

3.       Identify major operational change requirements due to performance gaps, business opportunities or threats, or management decisions for this change management initiative.

4.       Discuss how you review and prioritize change requirements/ opportunities with relevant managers. Conduct web research and indentify the name of an external specialist or expert who can help you identify major change requirements and opportunities in this case.

5.       Complete a cost benefit analysis for high priority change requirement/ opportunities.

6.       Complete a risk analysis, identify barriers to change agree and document mitigation strategies.

7.       Develop your change management project plan.

8.       From whom will you seek approval and confirm the change management process?

9.       What resources will you need and how will you report to and gain information from relevant managers?

10.   Develop communication/ education plans and discuss how you will consult with relevant groups and individuals. Do not forget that you must report to the executive as well as communicate widely with the centre staff.

11.   Develop your communication/ education plan to promote the benefits of the change to the organization, and to minimize loss, and arrange activities to deliver the communication/ education plans to all relevant groups and individuals.

12.   How will you consult with relevant groups and individuals for input to the change process after the implementation commences?

13.   What barriers to change do you sees as possible? Develop a risk management and mitigation plan for each.

14.   In your change management plan, include action plans and activities and the project timetable. You may use Critical Path Analysis or Grantt Chart for this, but may choose to use another method.

15.   What are your strategies and how will you activate these for embedding the change?