FACTORS THAT WILL INFLUENCE THE DEGREE OF SUCCESS: Studies have shown that the degree to which people are involved in the change process, i.e. take an active role, usually depends on their ability to overcome resistance to the idea of change. Conversely, the greater involvement people have in the change process affecting them, the greater the likelihood of successful change. Secondly, the more information people or individuals have about the change(s) taking place, the better they are able to understand and adapt to what needs to occur next. Finally the individual’s past experience with change. Knowing whether a person or group tend to deny or avoid change or accept and work through change, can help determine the plans that need to be made to prepare them.

PREPARE FOR CHANGE: Research what happened during the last change. Find out how your group has responded to change in the past. determine whether your organization is ready to undertake a change. Learn from past experience, and use this information in your current action plans. Do not cause excessive anxiety by publicizing change too far in advance, before people are asked to act. Assess the organizational readiness of your team. Give people enough time for adequate planning and preparation. Set your priorities, and change the most important things one at a time.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES: Several conditions are necessary for individual, group, or organizational changes to become permanent. A. Formal policies and reward systems must support the new behaviors. B. The change must be supported by the whole group, and C. The change must be incorporated into the whole organization’s culture - formally and informally. All of these conditions must be sustained over a long period of time through several generations of employees to be considered successful.

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