Organizational Change and Transition at Power Co - Case Study Example

Executive Summary Power Co which works in the power sectors has looked towards making changes in their process by identifying the different elements like risk management, performance measurement systems, public participation and many others are all crucial to implement the changes successfully. It is undeniable that change is not an easy task and requires a considerable effort for the entire workforce for the successful delivery of the project. In addition to it leadership does not just involve a single person: it entails all the people affected either directly or indirectly by the business. Powerful leadership apparently is the key to successful changes. This has left people with limited choices forcing them to comply with the rules guaranteeing successful changes in the project. This has thereby highlighted the manner in which the different facets are important for the delivery of the successful projects which necessiates the required changes. It is true that cost incurred in change development and implementation may be too high, but the outcome is indisputably worth the effort. This has thereby made organization look towards developing ways in that direction through which the business will be able to find out a mechanism through which the business will be able to ensure proper changes. This has made the concept of change management being used in different areas and will require ensure that change management will continue to grow even further as the world continues to experience changes in technology and other disciplines. Thus, an organization has to look towards implementing the different facets of change management techniques to be able to successfully implement a new project and ensure that the project becomes successful. Table of Contents Introduction 3 About the Organization 3 Role of Change Specialist in Change Process 4 Shared Leadership in Change Management Process 5 Managing Risk in Change Process 6 Consultancy Requirement in Change Management Process 7 Data Management Tools in Change Process 9 Developing Capabilities through Change Management 10 Public Opinion in Change Management Process 11 Conclusion 11 References 13 Introduction The business world is continuously encountering changes making it imperative that organizations change accordingly. These changes can be seen in the process of doing things, moving to a new location, improving the present system in which work is carried out, or major structural changes. The changes are done with the objective of attaining the business objectives. To ensure effective change organizations have to continuously develop new projects and use the resources in a manner that helps to attain the predefined objectives. The new projects might raise difficulties but being able to deal with those and ensure the best use of the resources will help to increase the chance of delivering the project successfully (Gray & Larson, 2008). This can be successfully achieved by developing a change plan which will ensure that the organization is able to gain maximum efficiency. This report thereby looks towards presenting the manner in which change management was implemented by an Australian power company and the manner they were able to identify the different issues and areas which were of prime concern and working on those helped to increase the efficiency of the system. The report also highlights the manner the different issues were dealt and helped to identify the different factors through which the change was easily implemented. About the organization Power Co is an Australian company which works in the power sector and was looking towards making changes in their business process because the company was heavily debt ridden, demand regarding the future electric requirements in doubt, the lack of accountability and the different changes in the environmental factos which made Power Co to look towards determining the manner through ehich better change proces could be implemented. This made Power Co take steps through which the process of change management was implemented and looked towards highlighting the manner in which the entire process could be undertaken. This helped Power Co to find out a process through which employees supported the company and helped the company to make the required changes through which the process of change was successfully implemented. Role of Change Specialist in Change Process The toughest part for an organization looking towards implementing changing is that the change can be totally different from what the business had used previously. This might result in no relation with the previous elements or structures making execution of the strategies difficult. This situation requires that Power Co looks towards specialized person having knowledge in this field like change management and different tactics who can provide the required direction and guidance based on which the organization can work. This will increase the chances of ensuring that the change is completed on time and efficiently. Organizations based on their requirements can also look towards the services of different managers in different stages of the change management so that chances of achieving the objectives of the project increases. This thereby increases the role of a manager who has to foster a culture where maximum productivity and development for an organization is possible. It will transform into higher degree of commitment and dedication towards the project both from the manager and his employees. Since, a success of any project is largely dependent on the manner the business is able to manage its resources so the manager has to ensure that the employees are managed and handled properly. This will ensure that the business is able to choose the correct business model which will help to establish an authority and responsibility relationship for the manager and will help him to execute his duties properly (Scan Team Report, 2009). This was witnessed in case of Power Co which was able to find out the different areas through which the process of change management was effectively implemented. It has been analyzed that private companies have been able to grow because of the fact that they are able to make the required changes and implement those successfully (Timothy, 2011). This highlights the opportunity for other businesss enterprise to succeed especially Power Co by developing and monitoring the newly developed strategies which will help to implement new process and methods. Since, there are different ways which can ensure that the change is implemented successfully it is important that business based on their requirements find out the key areas which will help the project to be implemented successfully. For example a business based on its requirements can identify that having a single manager whose role is to monitor the entire process can ensure successful implementation of the new project can act in that way (Gary & Larson, 2008) Shared Leadership in Change Management Process The second area which is of prime importance while looking towards delivering a successful change in strategies and process is shared leadership. This area requires that Power Co should display powerful leadership facets. This will help to create a positive environment for the whole organization including the leader and the employees. This shows that the success of an organization cannot be only attributed to a leader but is rather due to the collective attributes and talent that the entire organization has been able to demonstrate. This can be seen in case of Bill Gates who is the founder and chief executive officer of Microsoft but he along would have been unsuccessful in ensuring the success of the company. The company became successful because of the contribution of all employees that worked for his organization. This highlights the fact that all the employees of a certain organization have a considerable say in any change that might be taking place in the business and it is because of the contribution of all employees that the organization has been successful. This is true that the individual at the lowest level of management may not be as qualified as the one at the highest level but his contribution towards the success of the organization matters and is important. This thereby increases the role of the leader as it is his responsibility to ensure that all employees are provided the required authority based on their knowledge and skills. This will help to execute the task efficiently and will help to develop the required tools and strategies through which the project can be implemented successfully (Abell, Springer & Kamata, 2009). This will also foster an environment where employees are able to understand the importance of change and based on it look towards identfying ways through which changes can be implemented. Managing Risk in Change Process Another important area to be considered while delivering a change is the management of risk. Any business looking towards implementing a change in the manner the business id don has to encounter certain degree of risk and has to find out a way through which risk can be reduced if not eliminated. This will require that a process of risk management is developed through which risk can be mitigated. Just listing the problems that a business may be facing is not sufficient but looking towards developing strategies for those risks are imperative. It entails recognizing, evaluating, quantifying and making precedence-premeditated actions centered on principal objectives. The risk mitigation strategies which are developed to deal with the risk should be flexible and should be centered on dealing with the risk. For example, transport companies experience various risks at clearance points which results in delay in the delivery of goods. This requires that a risk mitigation strategy is developed where the management can look towards having some buffer time so that in case of delay at the clearance points the goods can still be delivered on time (Gray, & Larson, 2008). Organizations have to look towards developing similar strategies so that proper services can be delivered on time. While looking to formulate strategies as in the above case with the transport company the estimated time that the transport company has identified for the delivery of goods and services should be approximated and should not be wrongly estimated. This will also require that while estimating the same the risk and the cost is also determined. The timing of delivery should be determined in such a manner that it matches the standards but at the same time provides some cover in case of delays. This will help to implement the process of change successfully and will help Power Co to be able to make the changes in the most efficient manner. Consultancy Requirement in Change Management Process Another area which is crucial in the delivery of change in process is consultant utilization. This is a phenomenon which is quite prevalent in the modern times as organizations look towards using the services of specialized person. This is on the backdrop that they have the relevant knowledge and skills through which they are able to handle the complex issues which the project presents. In addition to it companies get a chance to utilize experienced workforce, which they may not be having, or even increase labor to meet the schedule stipulates for capital delivery. This thereby ensures that better efficiency can be ensured and the change can be properly timed so that it gets completed at the right time. Organizations also look towards using external consultants as intensifying competition and decreasing workforce requires that the changes are successful (Milosevic & Srivannaboon, 2006, p. 98). This leaves businesses with no choice but to out source the function if they wish to deliver their projects successfully. The fact that using an outside consultant is regarded as an excellent practice to make changes as seen from past studies has made organization look towards using the same method again and again. It has also been seen that organizations look towards using the specialized services based on their change requirements as some company use consultants from the beginning to the end whereas some use it depending on the complexity that the different parts of the project has. This helps to understand the fact that the type and magnitude of the change will determine whether outsourcing will be done at all project levels or not. The only area of concern is that the company should look towards having an employee of the company who has a managerial position work along with the consultant so that that every move can be monitored and ensured is according to the requirements of the business. This will help to ensure proper monitoring and help the organization to move in the correct direction through which the goals can be attained and the change can be successfully delivered. Data Management Tools in Change Process Organizations that have been able to use data management instruments are able to ensure that the changes can be successfully implemented. This has made organizations to look towards infusing technology in their operations in order to compete favorably in the hi-tech business world so that they are able to ensure better delivery of the projects. The fact that all business areas are witnessing the use of technology to some extent it is imperative that a proper technique which helps to improve the entire process of data management is implemented. Along with it different findings have identified that investing in data management instruments is a practice that necessitates business venture as the reward is more than the cost of investment. This helps the business to ensure that the change management aspect helps to organize the data better so that better projects can be managed. An example in this direction is that a business can decide to invest in Informix, which is a data management tool that is reliable and known to enhance client satisfaction (Gray, & Larson, 2008). In addition to it data management tools also carries out diverse functions like coordination, estimation and many others. This helps to ensure that the business that looking towards implementing changes don’t have to face the different obstacles and can make the necessary adjustments through which better efficiency can be gained. These tools also develop the process of communication and in turn enhance project processing. Data management instruments can also be integrated with performance measurement instruments so that all the two areas can profit. This thereby provides valuable inputs in different directions and will enable the business to ensure that they are able to manage the resources better and will help to implement the changes in a better way. Developing Capabilities through Change Managment Another key area which has a role in the delivery of successful projects is the development of capabilities among employees. Businesses instead are facing the opposite as the turnover rate for employees is increasing which has forced organizations to outsource some of their major activities. This increases the risk for the business as looking to implement a change becomes difficult because of the lack of adequate manpower with the required skills. The core competences in businesses are not only utilized on the short-term basis: instead they should be maintained as long as the business is operating in order to avoid cases of possible failures. This makes it important that organization looks towards developing capabilities among employees at the same time ensuring that they are retained for the successful changes that the project requires (Gary & Larson, 2008). This makes it important that organizations also develop a performance management system which will help businesses to retain employees and will help to deliver the changes are successfully. Every business needs to put in a place a performance management structure that should be utilized at all times. Businesses need to come up with ways and means of gauging their performance (Kane & Trochim, 2007). Performance can be measured either internally or externally depending on the business requirements. This system can also be used to evaluate the performance of the entire business besides measuring the performance of a given project. Through the performance system, employees can also communicate vital information to the management. In addition, the performance systems hold data that may be used for future reference. This will thereby act as a tool through which the business is able to ensure that they are able to retain the employees and develop strategies which will help to ensure that the changes is successfully implemented. Public Opinion in Change Management Process The other aspect which has to be considered while looking towards successful changes in the project is public opinion (Stefanovic & Shenhar, 2007). The fact that it is difficult to separate customers or public members from business projects it is imperative that their opinions are taken into consideration. This will also act as a process through which marketing research is carried out and will provide the required directives based on which some ramifications in the project can be done. This will help to ensure that the entire project is according to the requirements and will help to ensure that the project is successfully delivered as per the business requirements. Conclusion This helps to bring the fact that successful project delivery necessitates a combination of a variety of facets. The different elements like risk management, performance measurement systems, public participation and many others are all crucial in successful project delivery. It is undeniable that completing a project is not an easy task and requires a considerable effort for the entire workforce for the successful delivery of the project. The success of a project is often realized when project managers are able to make tradeoffs in various areas such as cost, and schedule. The ability for project managers to make tradeoffs not only boosts the business but the clients too (Morris, 2000, p. 22). In addition to it leadership does not just involve a single person: it entails all the people affected either directly or indirectly by the business. Powerful leadership apparently is the key to successful projects. This has left people with limited choices forcing them to comply with the rules guaranteeing successful project deliveries. This has thereby highlighted the manner in which the different facets are important for the delivery of the successful projects. It is true that cost incurred in project development and implementation may be too high, but the outcome is indisputably worth the effort. This has thereby made organization look towards developing ways in that direction through which the business will be able to find out a mechanism through which the business will be able to ensure implementation of successful projects. This has made the concept of project management being used in different areas and will require ensure that project management will continue to grow even further as the world continues to experience changes in technology and other disciplines. Thus, an organization has to look towards implementing the different facets of project management techniques to be able to successfully implement a new project and ensure that the project becomes successful. References Abell, N., Springer, D. W., & Kamata, A. 2009. Developing and Assessing Rapid Assessment Instruments. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Kane, M., & Trochim, W. M. K. 2007. Concept mapping for planning and evaluation. Thousand Oaks: California. Sage Kloppenborg, Timothy. 2011. Contemporary Project Management. New York: Cengage Learning. Milosevic, D. Z., & Srivannaboon, S. 2006. A theoretical framework for aligning project management with business strategy. Project Management Journal, 37(3), 98 Stefanovic, J., & Shenhar, A. J. 2007. Does strategic alignment contribute to business success. In A. J. Shenhar, D. Milosevic, D. Dvir & H. Thamhaim (Eds.), Linking project management to business strategy. Newtown Square, Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute Gray, C. L. & Larson, E. W. 2008. Project Management: The Managerial Process. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin Scan Team Report. 2009. Best Practices in Project Delivery Management. Retrieved from http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/nchrp20-68a_07-01.pdf Morris, P. W. 2000. Researching the unanswered Questions of Project Management. Retrieved from http://www.indeco.co.uk/filestore/ResearchingtheUnansweredQuestionsofProjectManagement.pdf Read More