Business Transformation and Change Management
CKMCI is challenging ‘traditional’ thought with our distinctive approach to business transformation and change management. Our hierarchical method differentiates between transformational and transactional change and is more effective than traditional ‘monolithic’ approaches to change management.
But first we should describe the nature of change itself. Change can be transformational or transactional based on what triggers the change and how the organization is impacted. Organizations undertake transformational change in response to threats and opportunities triggered by external environmental factors. These transformations are addressed through changes in organization’s strategy, leadership and culture. Transactional changes are triggered by internal factors such as weaknesses and strengths. These types of changes are required for reasons such as to improve business performance or to align organizational factors with each other or with business strategy. Transactional changes are addressed through changes to structures, processes, management practices and systems. Quite often transactional changes follow transformational changes but not necessarily.
‘Traditional’ consulting approaches have ignored these differences by clubbing all change as strategic and by applying a broad brush approach to all kinds of change.
We believe that successful change management requires a level of thinking that should be strategic but an execution that is operational. Small incremental improvements towards the vision make change more sustainable and more effective. Only when all the stakeholders have adapted to a new way of thinking and new way of doing business does it become real. So if real change happens at the lowest level of the organization how can change management be only strategic? Can a broad brush approach ever create a new picture on the organizational fabric? Can you imagine if Michelangelo had used a broad brush (or may be a roller!) for his frescos of Sistine Chapel? Michelangelo took more than four years to create his masterful work. For all of them he used specialized brushes. He used bold strokes and he created all of these paintings while the plaster was still wet. Our approach to change management is similar. We have the big picture in our vision but we execute one stroke at a time. We manage change from the bottom up and in small but bold strokes. And we do this only after we have created the right conditions for change.
So what are the right conditions for successful change? Our change management methodology is based on fulfilling three conditions for successful change. Firstly, there should be a compelling reason for change such as dissatisfaction with the status quo. These reasons should be commonly understood and agreed throughout the organization. As a change catalyst one needs to create a sense of urgency to change for these reasons. Secondly, there should be a clear vision of the future state. The vision should be well articulated, well communicated and generally agreeable to everyone. The vision should be defined in terms of the future state of all the organizational factors and stakeholders that are affected. If the vision is not well defined then you will never get there. Thirdly, there should be a convincing and achievable first step. The initial milestones in the change process are extremely important for gaining the support and for motivating the stakeholders. So they should be picked carefully and planned meticulously. By focusing on these three fundamental conditions we can achieve sustainable change.
CKMCI is a leading practitioner of capabilities required for business transformation and change management including:
- Business Vision and Strategy
- Business Case / Feasibility Study
- Program / Service Alignment
- Business Process Improvement
- Program Review and Performance Assessment
- IT Enabled Business Transformation
- Change and Transition Management
- Project Management
For more information please contact us at info@ckmci.com
Print This Post
