Change Management

MBA 6113Unit 8

Soft Systems Models for Change

Soft Complexity and Messy Situations• Dealing with –• Culture• Power Bases (entrenchment)• Leadership Styles

• Potential Solution – • Resolved (satisficing)• Solved (research oriented, similar to HSMC)• Dissolved (removal – alter the environment,

design oriented……aka organizational development)

Soft Complexity – Cont’d

• Hard systems approach assumes a rational model

• Challenges w/ a rational approach

• Cultural Dimension

• Political Dimension

• Cognitive Dimension

The Organizational Development (OD) Approach

• A soft-systems methodology to managing change• Behavior-science oriented• Focus on organizational-learning• Goal of long-term sustainability• Use of “change-agents” as facilitators of change• Emphasizes adaptability• Addresses culture and the “human” side of the

organization

Lewin’s “Three-Phase” Model

Organizational Development

Facilitating Change (change agents)