Maximizing Return on Investment Using ERP Applications

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT WITH LEADERS

How does the change management process work at higher levels? A typical program scope document will often contain a statement on how OCM should work that reads something like this: We will establish an OCM function as part of the program team to deal with the effects of changes on the workforce. This will include skills assessments and focus groups, along with communication and training for the levels to be affected.

What this doesn’t deal with is what happens when the project team members have worked through the business process designs and developed a design that has a negative effect on one or more senior leaders. This happens frequently when moving to a fully integrated business process. It is typical that the political organization at the staff level will act to prevent resolution of the issue, not intentionally, but because of problem resolution conflicts that remain unresolved.

There is an important book on this subject by Chris Argyris titled Overcoming Organizational Defenses, which is extremely insightful. Instead of outright refusing to accept the outcome, the executive often asks the project team designee to go back to the group and find something that “works better” or, worse yet, sends messages that position the team members to fight for politically expedient solutions. The real need is for executives who find themselves in this position to accept the proposed solution, understand the personal results of these designs, ...