How do I Choose the Best Change Management Methodology?

Change management is the process of effectively moving an organization and its employees from one state to another, whether the goal is to improve performance, make a company more financially stable or ensure a smooth transition to new ownership. Choosing the best change management methodology for your company will help you realize the business outcomes you want to have achieved with the transition. The best methods use a structured process that reduces employee discomfort and resistance, sets realistic goals, measures progress and keeps people informed throughout the transition.

Unlike project management, which is the process of creating a plan around implementing new ideas, change management is the development of new ideas to implement change. The most recognized change management methodology models include the McKinsey 7S, psychologist Kurt Lewin’s three-stage approach and John Kotter’s eight-step process. The McKinsey approach focuses on the seven factors of change: shared values, strategy, structure, systems, styles, staff and skills. Lewin addresses the stages of unfreeze, transition, and refreeze that happen when change is implemented in an organization. Kotter recommends an eight-step process: create urgency for change, build a team, create a vision, communicate, empower, identify short-term goals, be persistent, and make the change permanent.

Other change management methodologies include the ADKAR model — an acronym built on the words "awareness," "desire," "knowledge," "ability" and "reinforcement" — that creates teams to implement new processes in specific departments or organizational areas by focusing on employee buy-in. The Six Change Approach focuses on managing internal resistance to change. Business Process Engineering is employed when a company needs to streamline production or improve time management.

Each change management methodology described employs the basic strategies needed for successful transition toward a new business state within an organization and among its employees. Typically, the key players who are involved in managing overall business change are project teams, the human resources department and the executives supporting the initiative. At the employee level, an effective change management methodology gives them the tools they need to work in a new way or in a new environment and the support they need to ease them through the transition. While there are many similarities among the models mentioned, there are also many differences. By researching available online resources on best practice models in change management methodology, you will gain a better understanding these and other approaches, you will be able to make the right choice for your company.