A Lean Alignment Approach To Change Management: A Beginner's Guide

May 11 / Dr. Cynthia D. Wiggins

Introduction To Lean Alignment Change Management

In today's fast-paced business world, managing change effectively is critical for organizations to thrive. In this blog post, we'll delve into a Lean Alignment Approach to Change Management, using the analogy of baking a cake to simplify and illustrate the phases involved in the change management process. Let's explore this systematic and comprehensive framework for driving organizational transformation.

Understanding Change Management 

Change management is about transitioning from the current state to a desired future state. It involves aligning people, processes, and systems to achieve a common goal. While change is often viewed solely from an organizational perspective, true change occurs when all these elements are synchronized towards a unified objective.

You Can Also View The Video

You can click to watch A Business Podcast With Dr. Wiggins Episode 3 where we delve into the intricacies of change management using a lean alignment framework. 

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Phases of Change Management

  1. Define Phase
    • Identifying the current and future states.
    • Setting goals, objectives, and assembling the team.
  2. Measure Phase
    • Assessing the necessary ingredients to bridge the gap between current and future states.
    • Determining precise ratios and quantities for transformation.
  3. Analyze Phase
    • Delving into organizational restructuring, skillset requirements, system changes, and resource allocation.
    • Ensuring the right quantities and configurations for successful transition.
  4. Implement Phase
    • Mixing the determined change ingredients into the "batter" of change.
    • Initiating the change process within the organization.
  5. Control Phase
    • Solidifying and establishing the change within the organization.
    • Making change the norm and part of the organizational culture.

The Lean Alignment Approach 

The lean alignment approach to change management is akin to a well-structured recipe. It involves identifying, assessing, analyzing, implementing, and controlling changes systematically to achieve systemic transformation within the organization.


Guiding Principles of Change Management

  1. Continuous Change: Change is ongoing and requires constant effort and adaptability.
  2. Rethinking Results: Challenge existing outcomes to drive intentional design changes for desired results.
  3. Sustaining Change: Embed change into the organization's fabric for long-term adoption and sustainability.
  4. Comprehensive Consideration: Consider the impact of change on systems, procedures, and people comprehensively.
  5. Value Creation: Focus on creating value for customers through optimized processes and activities.
  6. Continuous Improvement: Emphasize a cycle of refining and enhancing processes to meet evolving needs.
  7. Understanding the Purpose: Understand the purpose and rationale behind change initiatives for meaningful outcomes.

8. Human Aspect: Respect the human aspect of change, considering emotions, motivations, and perspectives during the change effort.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a lean alignment approach to change management is a structured and holistic methodology that drives organizational transformation effectively. By following the defined phases and embracing the guiding principles, organizations can navigate change successfully and achieve sustainable growth. Thank you for joining us on this exploration of change management basics. Also, look at our change management masterclass, where you go through the process of a lean alignment.
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