Managing Change & Managing Stakeholders

Managing Change & Managing Stakeholders

Communication is key to ensuring that all stakeholders are kept on board and involved during a period of transition.

The Management Committee, working with senior staff (if relevant) need to ensure that the following conditions are created within the staff/volunteer team.

1. Awareness – people must understand what their role is, the benefits of change, its objectives/reason for change.
   
   
2. “Buy In” – those involved need to understand the outcomes of the change.
   

The following are suggested steps in managing this change process.

Steps In Introducing Change

1. Determine the need for change, establish the purpose and reason for the change, and explain ‘why’.
   
   
2. Define the desired future state, paint a vivid picture of what the change will look like when it’s complete, what the benefits will be (particularly to service users or beneficiaries).
   
   
3. Describe the present state, taking care not to denigrate the past, be clear about what needs to be changed in order to create the new future.
   
   
4. Create a transition plan to get from here to there, and give everyone a part to play in the transition.
   
   
5. Celebrate or mark the passing of the old way as you move into the new.
   
   
6. Manage through the transition state; this often needs real leadership – strengthening, setting the example, and recognising achievements, learning and risk-taking.