What is Lean Change Management?

Summary

This script challenges the traditional linear approach to change management, highlighting the unpredictability of the 'messy middle'. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the system through observation and surveys, creating negotiable options, and conducting experiments. Lean Change Management is introduced as a feedback-driven, adaptable approach that merges ideas from Agile, HR, and organizational development, wrapped in Lean Startup thinking. It promotes visualizing change work with a Kanban board, creating a pull-based approach for just-in-time experiments, and involving those affected by change in the design process.

Takeaways

• 🔄 **Change is Non-Linear**: Change doesn't happen in a predictable, linear fashion; it involves a messy middle filled with uncertainty and chaos.
• 📊 **Change Success Rates**: Contrary to common belief, only 18% of changes fail, with 30% succeeding and 56% partially succeeding.
• 🧩 **Combining Perspectives**: Effective change management can come from merging insights from HR, change management, agile, and organizational development.
• 🔍 **Gaining System Insights**: Understanding the system you're changing is crucial, which can be achieved through observation, surveys, and interviews.
• 🛠️ **Creating Options**: Once you understand the system, you can create change options that are negotiable and consider costs and time frames.
• 🔬 **Experimentation**: Experimentation is key during uncertain times, with different experiments requiring varying levels of planning.
• ⚖️ **Hypothesis and Measurement**: Before implementing change, establish a hypothesis and define measurements to assess the change's impact.
• 🔄 **Iterative Feedback**: Post-experiment feedback loops are vital, guiding subsequent changes and adaptations.
• 📊 **Lean Change Management**: This approach merges agile, change management, HR, and organizational development ideas with Lean Startup thinking.
• 📋 **Kanban for Change**: Using a Kanban board visualizes change work, allows for flexible planning, and serves as a communication tool.
• 🤝 **Involving Stakeholders**: Lean change management emphasizes involving those affected by the change in its design for better buy-in and success.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about change according to the script?

The common misconception is that change happens in a linear way, with a clear starting point and ending point, and that we can have everything under control.

Why is the middle phase of change often difficult?

The middle phase of change is difficult because it is often messy and filled with uncertainty, chaos, and frustration.

What is the actual success rate of change initiatives based on the data mentioned in the script?

According to the script, about 30% of the time we accurately guess the outcome of the change, 56% of the time it kind of, sort of works, and it fails only 18% of the time.

What are the different communities' focuses when it comes to facilitating change?

HR focuses on Performance Management, change management on process, agile on mindset and values, and organizational development on a contextualized and adaptable approach.

What is the key idea behind combining insights from different communities for change management?

The key idea is to take the good ideas from HR, change management, agile, and organizational development, and combine them to create a contextualized and adaptable approach to change.

How does one gain insights about the system they are trying to change?

Insights about the system can be gained through observation, surveys, and interviews.

What is the purpose of creating options during the change process?

The purpose of creating options is to negotiate with those affected by the change, as each option has a different cost and time to complete.

Why are experiments important in times of uncertainty during change?

Experiments are important because they allow for learning and adaptation in times of uncertainty, and they can be adjusted based on the feedback received.

How does the feedback from experiments inform the next steps in change management?

The feedback from experiments becomes input into the next set of experiments, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation.

What is Lean Change Management and how does it differ from traditional models?

Lean Change Management is a feedback-driven approach to change that merges good ideas from agile, change management, HR, and organizational development, wrapped in Lean Startup thinking. It differs from traditional linear and plan-driven models by being more adaptable to the pace of change.

How does a Kanban board help in Lean Change Management?

A Kanban board helps visualize change work, allows for a pull-based approach focusing on just-in-time creation of experiments, and serves as a communication plan by being visible throughout the office.

What is the focus of Lean Change Management when it comes to gaining buy-in from stakeholders?

Lean Change Management focuses on involving people who have to live with the day-to-day consequences of the change into the design of the change to ensure they don't fight against the plan.