Change management: stakeholders & communication

Change projects

Change processes can only be "managed" to a limited extent. Change also happens without management through constant shifts driven by environmental conditions, micropolitics and structuration. When specific change processes are to be steered, this usually happens by setting up a change project with goals, schedules and measures. Whether such a project delivers real benefit and steers change productively depends not only on project management hard facts but above all on how far people's perspectives in the company are considered. Responsible change management should be installed that masters the essential leadership and control tools.

Tasks: keeping soft facts in view

Clarify need for change,
Clarify decision structures,
Analyse stakeholders and their interests,
Surface and moderate conflicts,
Create transparency,
Ensure information and communication,
Moderate co-determination,
Involve stakeholders,
Reconcile planning with reality,
Assess training needs,
Assess consequences of the change project,
Evaluate outcomes

Our specialised consulting areas in change management

Coaching project leaders: Change management is often assigned to project leaders without them knowing what awaits them — resulting in technocratic solutions not supported by most employees and causing co-determination problems. We coach and advise project leaders on the "soft facts" of their project. Stakeholder analysis: Stakeholders are all actors involved in and affected by the project. Knowing key actors and their interests is crucial. We developed our own system, the Change Explorer, combining interest analysis and conflict moderation. Working with the works council: The works council is one of the most important actors in change projects and can decide success or failure. Few leaders have learned to deal with their works council at eye level. We coach leaders in productive communication with the works council and moderate participation measures and works agreement negotiations. Conflict moderation: Change projects often bring conflicts from differing interests. We surface such conflicts with our special interview method, ensure systematic communication and moderate balancing of interests.