August 3 2011
Reflecting on Symphonic Change Management
Last year I did a short piece comparing change
management to conducting an orchestra. I was fortunate to get some
really positive and constructive feedback on this and really
appreciated all the interest it generated. It was called Orchestral
Symphonies in Change Management and you can find a copy of it
here.
Lately I have found myself using this analogy
time and time again to describe what I do. I explain the work of the
change management professional as the conductor of the orchestra and
the light goes on with people. But it got me thinking, is this
because people don’t know what change management is, or is it
because people have a preconceived idea of change management?
A quick straw poll in the office I work at gave
me an indication. I asked the 10 guys n gals around me what they
understand by change management. All of them thought it was some
form of project management, and one person thought it was something
to do with IT projects and controlling document change – I think
that’s change control! But at least he’d thought a little before
answering. So I explained that project management is a linear
process and change management is more of a matrix. Explaining it as
linking together education, communications, people, technology and
environment elements of a change event, whether it is project
related, process change or anything. Usually a bit of finance is
thrown in for good measure too!
So, there’s a small glimmer of understanding
showing here, but they are still not getting it! So the pitch now
moves to people. I explain the need to invest in the people to get
the buy in for change, make sure they are communicated to properly,
trained and educated properly and the workspace and technology is
all in place. That’s change management in a sentence! I now get a
twinkle of understanding, head nods and smiles. But then, as I
expect, the killer question comes back – surely I can’t do all of
the communications, training, education, etc. etc.?
I now explain that it’s as much about
facilitating change, through and with others as it is about making
the change. Here it comes, I’m like the conductor of an orchestra, I
know who to point to when and what to expect from each person, but I
don’t play all the instruments myself, however I know what they all
sound like and I know how they connect to produce great music.
“Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” the light goes on and
there’s hope for change managers everywhere once again!