Organizational Change - Case 1

The Need

A manufacturer of diesel engines was replacing its manufacturing software system. As a result, thousands of its employees in numerous locations needed to become competent in the new software and associated processes. For the software implementation to be successful, the project team needed to ensure that users understood the reasons for the change and that they were motivated to adopt the new software and processes. Dashe & Thomson had completed and delivered a User Readiness and Training Assessment which provided a roadmap for meeting the goals. The manufacturer wanted Dashe & Thomson to design a change management solution based on the results of the assessment.

Solution

Dashe & Thomson recommended a Change Management seminar. This structured event engaged the executive team in a 3-day experience during which they analyzed the impact of the change on the organization and developed consensus on strategies to ensure project benefits were realized.

Results

The results of the Change Management seminar were a series of deliverables that ensured users would understand how the new software affected them and encouraged them to accept the change:

• A completed Dashe & Thomson Design Impact Matrix that documented process changes and enabling technology as well as constituencies affected by the change.
• A Change Management team structure with roles and responsibilities.
• A Change Management Plan and an understanding of how to update it.
• An initial Communication Plan and an understanding of how to update it.
• A Reward and Recognition Plan.