Change management is a normal part of managing a business. It can also be viewed as a step between Strategic Planning and implementation of the plan.

It needs to start with the setting of an overall objective for the organisation (e.g. 50% reduction in accidents, 60% reduction in late deliveries to customers).

It is important to consider the magnitude of the change, and the culture of the organisation, when selecting the means of reaching this objective.

A change program should be customised to suit the current need and situation. The process set out on this site is useful when there is a business need for significant change. The example is based on a successful program to reduce controllable costs by 40%.

• a visible commitment by senior management
  
• a top quality team
  
• a philosophy that front-line employees:
  
  
  • are better able to identify the real problems
  • will produce more practical solutions to those problems
  • will be more committed to 'their' solutions

• the motivating effect of tough, achievable goals
  
• very open communication, even when the news is bad
  
• ideas evaluated by customers and suppliers as well as supervisors, managers, human resources and engineering
  
• recognising that issues like human resource management and industrial relations policies would have a great impact on success
  
• strict follow up of implementation progress