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The 8 Stage Change
Process
The following is a very brief summary of the 8
stage change process identified by John Kotter in his text 'Leading Change'.
We only offer a brief insight here, which can not really do justice to the book,
which provides in-depth analysis of each stage, illustrated with practical
examples. We hope the table below will whet your appetite. If you want to
find out more, we highly recommend this book as an excellent change management
resource.
In brief then, Kotter recommends the following 8
Steps.
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| 1 |
Establish
a sense of urgency
There are several techniques by which it is possible to establish a sense
of urgency early on in the project lifecycle, helping to overcome most
sources of complacency.
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| 2 |
Create
the guiding coalition
Put together a team of people with enough power to lead the change. Get
the group to work together as a team.
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| 3 |
Develop
a vision and strategy
Create a clear and concise vision that will help direct the change effort,
and develop strategies for achieving that vision.
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| 4 |
Communicate
the change vision
Use every vehicle possible to constantly communicate the new vision and
strategies. Ensure that the guiding coalition role model the behavior
expected of employees.
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| 5 |
Empower
broad-based action
Get rid of any obstacles which threaten the project. Remove systems or
structures that undermine the change vision and encourage risk taking in
non-traditional ideas and activities.
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| 6 |
Generate short term wins
Plan for visible improvements which can be implemented during the course
of the project, deliver these 'wins' and publicly recognise / reward those
who made them possible.
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| 7 |
Consolidate
gains and produce more change
Use credibility gained from early 'wins' to bring other structures &
processes into alignment with the change vision. Get the people who can
and will implement these new changes, and re-invigorate the process with
new projects and themes.
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| 8 |
Anchor
new approaches in the corporate culture
Create better performance through customer and productivity oriented
behavior, better leadership and more effective management. Articulate the
links between the new behavior and organizational success. Develop ways to
ensure further leadership development and succession. |
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Adapted with permission from 'Leading Change'
by
John P. Kotter, Harvard School Press 1996
ISBN # 0-87584-747-1
Each one of these stages actually involves many
smaller steps. If the change being considered is significant, the effort
involved is probably at least double your estimate - and then some. The advantages
of the change being implemented may be self evident. The CEO himself may be
fully committed to the project. You might have a 'foolproof' plan, and a high
profile dynamo of a project 'champion'. Yet this is seldom enough to see a major
change project through to a successful outcome. You must plan and implement a
change effort, remembering that in almost any environment, overcoming
complacency and resistance, and bringing a change in culture is never going to
be easy.
We suggest adopting an approach along the lines
suggested by Kotter, and using an experienced change agent or 'organizational
development practitioner' to facilitate the process.
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Island
Consulting Pty Ltd
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Change
Management
8 Stage Change Process |
February
2009
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