MSPs: How to Lead a Change Management Strategy

IBM says the need to lead change in organizations is growing, but our ability to do it is shrinking.

Filling the gap requires customized software, on-site support and an unrequited amount of transparency from trained leadership, says Mike Bentley, managing director of Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Change Strategy and Analytics practice.

The first question organizations should ask themselves when planning for a change initiative is, “What is the desired outcome of the change?” Many organizations miss the mark because they fail to paint the big picture from the get-go, not fully understanding what they are really aiming for.

It’s key that organizations be realistic about the type of transformation they are undertaking and match their change-management efforts accordingly.

Deloitte’s Mike Bentley

According to Bentley, Deloitte has found that the right approach to change is based on a combination of driving people’s willingness to change and the ability to deliver what is required during and after the change.

Depending on an organization’s desired outcome, the balance of efforts required to drive willingness and ability will differ.

“We see ability as making sure the workforce understands ‘what to do’ and ‘how to do it,’” says Bentley. “Willingness is seen as building an understanding across the workforce as to ‘why’ we need to do something in a new way.”

So, how does one define desired outcomes of change?

“At Deloitte, we have found it helpful to think of change as one of four key types,” shares Bentley. “They are: Tech Slam, Process Acceleration, Modernization and Transformation, with each of these requiring a varying balance of willingness and ability.”

Let’s dive in and break these down, shall we?

“With change happening at a faster pace than anyone has seen before, successful change requires …

… a focus from the beginning of each new program to define things, to chart a course,” says Bentley. “You must first determine the ability and willingness of the organization to properly align to the intended outcomes. Keeping focus on that outcome from the beginning creates alignment so there is no time wasted optimizing the investment organizations are making for their future.”

Bentley goes on to say that ability is easier than willingness to build. Advances in technology have given rise to new interactive learning techniques that can be tailored to the individual, which drives the personal experience. Organizations have also learned to bulk up their talent pool by hiring tech-savvy folks who have the capability to pick up and learn new systems and processes quickly.

Building willingness is more of a chore, as it requires more advanced techniques like behavioral design and culture change.

“The change effort – and this is important – needs to make employees feel fully invested in the new processes, acceleration or modernization a business is implementing,” emphasizes Bentley. “Focusing on employees’ willingness to change is the key to a successful transformation.”

Getting an organization, and ultimately the workforce, ready – and willing – for the transformation involves rethinking and redesigning interactions between leadership and employees.

MSPs manage change initiatives. Now go forth and transform. Effectively.