Change

Kathy S. Schwaig

Objectives

Understanding external forces that drive change and the effects of change on the project managerIdentifying and handling individual responses to changeSurviving professionally in the face of changeManaging change

External Forces That Drive Change

Expansion of economies to include global marketsAbundance of easily accessible information and marketsRapid technological growth and obsolescenceGap between skill requirements and skill levelsConstant mergers, downsizing, and buyoutsFluctuating availability and prices of resourcesIncreasing interdependence of systems as oppose to isolated technologies

Effects of Change on the Project Manager

Examples of Little changes: new reporting forms, change in specification for a system, new equipment, different purchasing proceduresExamples of Major changes: new suppliers, complete re-design of a project at a near ready stage, change in management, acquisition or loss of a highly skilled project team member

TechArt

TechArt (fictional company name) is doing well, with many internal projects under way. A facilities project is planning to convert a warehouse into an expanded printing area. Included in this is a reorganization of the current printing area into a larger software design unit and private conference rooms for meetings with clients. The systems area has a cross- departmental project to design an internal communications network to connect all areas, both on-site and off-site. This project affects all functions; marketing, design, production, printing, shipping, accounting, and supplies.

 Several other internal projects are either ongoing or in the making, including a customer service training program for all employees and a hardware upgrade. These are in addition to external projects with customers. Because the company is doing well with almost no debt, but market share growth is fairly static, the owners have decided to offer the business for sale, to “cash out’ and retire. Investors are in almost daily, and there is some talk about the company going public due to its unique design technology patents

How Can Change Impact a Project Manager…some examples

Rumors cause employees to “jump ship”Recruiters and headhunters start callingProject are put on “hold”Project affecting the bottom line are priority #1Have to recruit new team membersFear, infighting, and negativityAll expenditures are more scrutinized

Individual Responses to Change

Reaction #1 – Negative

Reaction #2 – Accepting

Reaction #3 - Inciting

Professional Survival in the Face of Change

Develop Awareness of External Factors

Recognize Cause-and-Effect Relationships

Take Creative Action

View Change as Positive

Organizational Approaches to Change

Slash and Burn

Support and Nurture

Inspire and Motivate

Urgent Change Management

Challenge #1 – Bailout Prevention Damage Control

Challenge #2 - Poor Morale Prevention Damage Control

Ongoing Change Management

Set an example

Behave consistently

Recognize employees for demonstrating creative adaptations

Nurture growth in employees

Involve employees in setting goals for future competitiveness