b'32 Local Government LawyerStep 4 - improve the process things that will get in the way of change implement the changes?Once you have selected which issue you willcreate short-term winscelebrate thebe prepared to admit if the project tackle first you need to begin the task ofsmall successes along the way failed but identify what has been making improvement. One model for doingconsolidate improvementsdont takelearnedthis is: your eye off the ball too soon When demonstrating success, you anchor the changes into corporateneed to be as clear as possible. Many sortidentify necessary items andcultureamend job descriptions,people are confused by complex remove unnecessary ones appraisals etc financial statements and reports, so simplifylocate what you need andonly disseminate what you need to and limit the amount stored Individuals can react in a wide rangeinclude graphs and charts wherever sweep/shinemake sure everything isof different ways when changes are beingpossible.stored where it is supposed to be implemented. These reactions could range standardiseensure the process is/canfrom anxiousness, fear of the unknown,Finally, if the project has been successful be adopted by everyone denial (they will never do it) to hopefulnessensure it is rolled out to other departments sustain self-disciplineensure newand ex-citement about the future. Theseor offices, but if it has been unsuccessful systems are adhered to feelings are usually affected by how big theanalyse it and understand why and retain change is, how much control they have overthe data for possible future projects. In both It is also necessary at this stage toit and how much it is going to affect them. cases the last step should be to return to identify what training will be required,Most people go through four distinctthe beginning to identify the next round of what resources will be needed to supportphases of emotional reaction and you needimprovements that could be made.individuals and what the overall costs of thatto have support mechanisms in place to will be both in time and money. ensure the smooth implementation of theIf you would like to read more, register for Before implementing a major change it isnew processes. a one-week free trial at www.lexisnexis.advisable to run a pilot programme to testco.uk/LDOTFand measure the results and iron out anyMeasuring successissues before launching organisation-wide.To ensure the new process is properly Once you have run a pilot event you canevaluated you will need to measure the produce a more detailed business case toresults delivered and compare them to support your argument for change.those anticipated in your business case. A control chart will allow you to monitor Step 5 - make changes and get people onperformance within agreed parameters board and determine the stability of the There are many different theories aboutimprovements.how to implement change within anIf your goals are achieved, you will need organisation, but perhaps the best knownto:and most often referred to is John P Kotters eight-stage model. The eight stages follow acalculate the value to the organisation logical process for embedding change andof the changes you have madeengaging with employees: identify any additional capacity in the process as a result of the changescreate a sense of urgencymake sureinvestigate the reasons if the results everyone understands the need formarkedly exceed the targetchangeform a powerful guiding coalitionputIf your goals are not achieved, you will together a visible team of people toneed to:lead the changecreate a vision for changea need tocalculate as specifically as possible the change that goes beyond facts anddifference between what was expected figures and engages with everyone and the actual resultscommunicateuse every method atdetermine whether the time period your disposal and be prepared to walkwas appropriateif results are the walk improving but by less than anticipated, remove obstaclesidentify and removeis it because you need longer to'