Change Management Deep Dive

Course Objectives

The course pursues the following learning objectives and actionable skills:

MODULE 1: You will learn how to analyse a change need with the client and determine a possible course of action for implementing the change. After completing this module you will:

• Know typical structural, technical and human causes for change (e.g. re-organisation, rationalisation, digitalisation, change in leadership, environmental requirements).
• Know critical success factors (KEF) for change processes (e.g. vision and goals, leadership, communication and information flow, quick wins, instruments and tools).
• Know typical phases of change processes (e.g. 3-phase model according to K. Lewin, 8-step model according to J.P. Kotter, change model according to V. Satir) and can explain their characteristics and goals.

MODULE 2: You will learn how to identify and analyse stakeholders in the change and form a leadership team for the change process. After completing this module you will:

• Know methods and techniques for identifying "hard" factors for change (e.g. SWOT analysis, benchmarking, metrics, process, document, and task analysis; interview, survey).
• Know methods and techniques for analysing "soft" factors such as interests, influence, and attitude (e.g. stakeholder analysis, force field analysis, confrontation meetings, open space).
• Know the characteristics for the composition of a leadership team for change processes (e.g. representativeness, expertise, decision-making competence, reputation).

MODULE 3: You will learn how to develop the vision and goals of a change with the leadership team. After completing this module you will:

• Know methods and techniques for collaborative development and visualisation of a vision (e.g. future conference, time travel, future pacing, brain and wish-storming, strategy workshop, mission statement development).
• Know methods and techniques for visualising a vision (e.g. visual storytelling, vision board, collages, prototypes).
• Know different levels of change goals (e.g. content, attitude, attitude, quality) and models for formulating change goals (e.g. SMART, PURE, CLEAR).

MODULE 4: You will learn how to develop and plan target group-oriented communication measures for the entire change process and implement them. After completing this module you will:

• Know the elements of a communication concept.
• Know the importance of communicating the vision, clear objectives and achievements in change processes.
• Knows techniques and tools for informing stakeholders in a way that is appropriate to the target group (e.g. intranet, newsletter, expos, roadshow, brochures).

MODULE 5: You will learn how to recognise obstacles, resistance and conflicts in change processes and take appropriate measures to mitigate or eliminate them. After completing this module you will:

• Know the difference between the factual and relationship level and can explain its importance for the success of communication processes.
• Know typical causes of obstacles in change processes (e.g. established structures and processes, skills, loss of power, lack of acceptance) and can explain suitable measures to overcome them.
• Know typical signs of resistance, defensiveness and fear and can explain appropriate behaviours for dealing with them.

MODULE 6: You will learn how to makes successes in change processes visible and support the anchoring of change in the culture of the organisation. After completing this module you will:

• Know the importance of ceremonies and rituals for the team culture, the feeling of togetherness and appreciation.
• Know opportunities and risks of monetary and non-monetary rewards.
• Know the time horizon necessary to embed cultural change.