10 tips as you embark on a change journey

October 21, 2019 | Workforce Management

Sara Golding is an expert in Workforce Management. Sara, Senior Manager at Mirus Australia and her team are responsible for co-designing, diagnostics, analysis review, onboarding and implementation of Mirus Works!

I have the great privilege of working with aged care organisations as they embark on change. I understand it can be a difficult process but with a well thought through project plan and a team that embraces the work ahead, change doesn’t have to suck! If you’re embarking on a change journey, please consider the following tips:

Know your current state.

Involve people from all facets of the business, so ‘warts and all’ are exposed and examined and can be included in the change journey.

Understand what success looks like for all stakeholders.

That may be different across your organisation. For example the difference between a successful outcome for your finance team versus your clinical team

Ensure there is representation from across your team particularly people and roles that will be impacted by change.

This supports you while you uncover the ‘warts’ and creates internal champions for the change to come.

Create a realistic rollout plan.

Refer SMART goals! Is the team 100% on the change project or fitting it in around an existing full-time role, annual leave, multiple priorities?

Have regular check-ins ideally weekly to make sure you’re on track.

You will hit roadblocks and bumps along the way but managing these with agility and positivity means you’ll get back on track in no time!

Don’t cut corners.

Ensure each task is given the attention it deserves as this will provide a greater chance of success even if that means a slightly delayed project.

Engage change champions across the business.

Change champions will embrace the change and talk positively about it throughout the business bringing everyone else on the journey

Keep an open dialogue with the project team.

Communication 101: Encourage your team to speak freely about the change project this will mean you’re ahead of the curve if something is going off track.

Project retrospective is also important.

Schedule the time. What went well, what could have gone better, what went wrong and did we achieve our success goals?

Continuously review.

When a change project is completed, embedded or implemented schedule time to continuously review the processes, procedures and systems that support the change to allow for tweaks or re-engagement if needed.

Undoubtedly you’ll face challenges along the way but following these principles will give you the framework for a successful project outcome!

And remember, change doesn’t have to suck!

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn. And you can meet Sara and find out more about her “baby” here.