How to Create a Change Plan

The podcast episode of this post is available on Sounder, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.

When you are short of time, here is the one action that will give you 80 percent results in 20 percent of the time.

 

DO THIS

Describe how people will get prepared for the change.

BY DOING THIS

–        Concisely summarize what’s going on.
–        State your views on the best path forward.
–        Suggest the next step or two to put that path into action.

A good change plan describes how people will be able to adopt the change. There are three sections of an effective change plan: communication, training and engagement.

Communication describes how people will get information, e.g., through emails, town hall meetings, newsletters, etc. Training captures skill-building activities, including learning sessions, coaching and process walkthroughs. Engagement includes feedback opportunities such as plan review meetings, interviews and surveys.

Resist the temptation to make your plan long and complex. Many people believe a big plan is better, but the longer and more complex it is, the harder it is to communicate and implement. The best plans are easy to understand and follow. The worst response to a plan is, "I don't get it.

KNOWLEDGE BITES

CHANGE PLAN: How will I prepare people to do things differently?

SUCCESS TIP

Showing how the three people-support elements align leading up to the launch date will help leaders and their teams feel confident that they’ll be ready for the change.