• Evaluate the holistic approach to planning and implementing change
• Identify the key elements of an implementation plan
• Appreciate how to monitor and control change
• Identify success factors for implementing change

• Linear models for planning and implement change provide a structured but simplistic approach. What is often missing from them is making the change stick – sustaining it in the organization so that benefits can be realized. In contrast the cyclical approach enables leaders and managers to verify the change protocols and ensure that anchorage to the change interventions is maintained. It is therefore more realistic to see the planning and implementation of change as a cyclical rather than a linear process.
• Project management provides an approach for the planning and implementation of sustainable change. It comprises the activities of planning, communication, setting clear, measurable objectives for the change, and evaluating their achievement by using clearly defined success measures as well as monitoring that all intended potential benefits are delivered.

• Start by asking students what steps they would identify as being a key part of the change process. Or if they are experienced managers ask them to identify the steps they have previously used.
• Encourage the students to critically evaluate the linear approach to change. This can be linked back to the session for Chapter 2.
• The session on project management should be practical. Encourage students to share how they manage a project. Ask them what they have learnt from the success as well as failure of projects.

• Compare and contrast the benefits of the planned approach to change used in the cases outlined in Chapter 6 of Using Kotter’s Model to Implement Change, by Craig Smith and Steve Taylor.
• Evaluate the approach to change used by Mattel (see case in Chapter 6) and discuss the lessons learnt from the case about how to manage a change project.
• Consider the change projects that have been implemented in your organization or some other organization you are familiar with and answer the following questions:

o    Was a wide or narrow range of interventions use?

o    Which type of interventions were used most often?

• What are the key elements of project management?
• What factors need to be taken into account when selecting interventions?

• Critically assess why the focus of the change implementation strategy may have to change over time.
• Critically evaluate if change can be managed in a linear and rational way. Use a case study of an organization with which you are familiar to illustrate your answer.
• Critically discuss the factors that affect the implementation of change in an organization.

For tools and frameworks for planning and implementing change it is worth looking at the following websites:

www.businessballs.com – Business Balls is a free, ethical learning and development resource for people and organizations

www.mindtools.com – Mind Tools can help with over 900 management, career and thinking skills.