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December 2002 Hot Topic
Re-Chartering a Change Project?
It's a Practical Necessity
Got a Change initiative that is running out of gas? Having
trouble keeping momentum? Feeling like things are off the
tracks? Don’t despair…it’s just a fact of life for Big Change.
You may be able to get though this period but prompt, aggressive
action will be needed. Stay tuned…
Why does Big Change get off track? We really don’t have time to
list all the reasons we have seen in our more than 20 years of
experience … but some general de-railers are:
1.
Business conditions change requiring a greater focus on
Run-the-Business objectives
2.
Key players move around (or leave) or seem to lose
interest
3.
The change team gets overwhelmed with all the details
associated with Big Change (i.e., they get in touch with how
hard this is!)
4.
A change step does not go well … lowering confidence in
the entire Big Change initiative, etc., etc., etc.
Regardless of the reason(s) for getting off track, it will be
critical to get things going again. While you may make good
progress getting things back on track with point solutions
(e.g., fixing the cause), the best solution might actually be to
formally re-charter the entire initiative.
Why re-charter? Things clearly will have changed since the
initiative started. Going through a formal re-chartering process
allows you to move forward with today’s version of the business
facts, not yesterday’s. Today’s facts include not only business
facts but people facts.
The re-chartering process should include the following:
1.
Re-statement of the scope and purpose of the initiative
2.
Current case for change using today’s facts and
consequences if the change is not made successfully
3.
Current organization chart for the initiative including
Program/Project Leader, Steering Committee membership and
executive sponsors
4.
Revised Action plan and adjusted Master Schedule…
5.
And last but not least, an all-hands meeting to get all
the key players in the room to review current plans and to give
the thumbs up to proceed.
In
short no Big Change initiative goes very far the way it was
originally planned. Once things change significantly, it is a
good time to re-think the direction and plan of attack as well
as to get the troops signed up again. Re-chartering is not a
sign of failure…but a practical way of dealing with the
inevitable uncertainty in Big Change.
By: Dutch Holland
 Dutch Holland,
CEO of HDI, has worked as a management consultant for 30 years,
helping organizations and leaders manage and implement change
successfully. And if you enjoyed this short article, you'll
love his new book, Red Zone Management: Changing the Rules
for Pivotal Times (Dearborn Trade, Chicago, Fall 2001).
Check your local bookstores or read a review at amazon.com
or barnesandnoble.com!
Contact Dutch at dholland@hdinc.com.
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