Reference no: EM131483334

This unit describes skills and knowledge required to determine strategic change requirements and opportunities; and to develop, implement and evaluate change management strategies.

It applies to managers with responsibilities that extend across the organisation or across significant parts of a large organisation. They may have a dedicated role in human resources management, human resources development, or work in a strategic policy or planning area.

1. Identify change requirements and opportunities
- Identify strategic change needs through an analysis of organisational objectives
- Review existing policies and practices against strategic objectives to identify where changes are required
- Monitor the external environment to identify events or trends that impact on the achievement of organisational objectives
- Identify major operational change requirements due to performance gaps, business opportunities or threats, or management decisions
- Review and prioritise change requirements or opportunities with relevant managers
- Consult stakeholders, specialists and experts to assist in the identification of major change requirements and opportunities

2. Develop change management strategy
- Undertake cost-benefit analysis for high priority change requirements and opportunities
- Undertake risk analysis and apply problem solving and innovation skills to identify barriers to change and agree and record mitigation strategies
- Develop change management project plan
- Obtain approvals from relevant authorities to confirm the change management process
- Assign resources to the project and agree reporting protocols with relevant managers

3. Implement change management strategy
- Develop communication or education plan, in consultation with relevant groups and individuals, to promote the benefits of the change to the organisation and to minimise loss
- Arrange and manage activities to deliver the communication or education plans to relevant groups and individuals
- Consult with relevant groups and individuals for input into the change process
- Identify and respond to barriers to the change according to risk management plans
- Action interventions and activities set out in project plan according to project timetable
- Activate strategies for embedding the change
- Conduct regular evaluation and review and modify project plan where appropriate to achieve change program objectives 

To achieve competency in this unit, a person must be able to demonstrate the required knowledge in these areas:

Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to:

- Analyse and interpret information about the organisation's internal and external environment and consult with stakeholders to identify requirements and opportunities for changes that support organisational objectives
- Prioritise opportunities for changes with input from managers
- Develop a change management project plan for the priority changes incorporating resource requirements, risk management and timelines
- Develop strategies to communicate or educate the changes and embed them
- Obtain approvals and agree reporting protocols with relevant managers and implement the plan including addressing barriers to change
- Review and evaluate the change management project plan and modify as needed to achieve objectives.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

Required knowledge

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
- Explain the change management process or cycle and strategies for communicating and embedding change
- Explain how organisational behaviour and the external environment can impact on change strategies
- Describe the components of a change management project plan
- List potential barriers to change and explain possible strategies to address barriers.