PMBoK7 Perspectives: Enabling Change

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK7) highlights the importance of preparing impacted stakeholders for new processes and tools introduced by projects, so they are not only adopted, but also become a permanent part of the landscape (or until things need to change again). Here are four ways to support the changes that projects bring to your organization. 

• Make change relevant. Successful project delivery means stakeholders adopt the products and processes your project introduces. Adoption is much more likely when people understand the benefits of the project outcomes. To accomplish this, get stakeholders involved early, share the project vision, and listen to and, if warranted,  incorporate feedback. Without doing these things, stakeholder engagement will be tepid at best, which makes successful project delivery difficult.
• Embrace resistance. The feedback you receive from stakeholders isn’t always positive. Change is challenging and people are likely to resist. Don’t automatically dismiss this as “people not wanting to change.” People resisting change often raise legitimate issues and opportunities for improvement. By listening and responding to these items, you can convert sceptics into believers. Converted sceptics are powerful advocates for your project.
• Motivate people to change.  Changing the way people work is difficult. It is imperative that you show them the pathway to make that change. This goes beyond understanding the outcomes their job produces for the business. Show them how the results of work objectives will be enhanced and how stakeholder productivity will be measured. In addition, collaborate with stakeholders to create these productivity measurements —  that gives stakeholders a say in the objectives they are supposed to achieve. Making people part of the change is a great motivational tool.
• Fit your change into the big picture. Change often generates fundamental, important questions.  Where is this taking us? What’s next? How can I best prepare for what is to come? The best support comes from stakeholders who understand what is happening now, and how the current change creates opportunity for improvement. Ensure stakeholders understand what is in the project portfolio, how those initiatives tie into the organizational strategy, and what to expect in the future.

Do you have examples of enabling change in your organization? If so, share in the comments section!

For more about change management, check out Scott Mautz Changes Management Foundations course. 

Coming up:

Next LinkedIn Office Hours will be on Wednesday, June, 1 2022-

Project Management Entrepreneurship Part 2: Skills and Tools

Have you thought about going out on your own as a project manager, instead of being an employee? Seyi Kukoyi, PMP, and Bonnie Biafore, PMP, provide guidance for that journey in the course Become a Project Management Entrepreneur (http://linkedin-learning.pxf.io/PMentrepreneur-li). In this follow-on LinkedIn Office Hours event, Seyi, Bonnie, John Riopel and Oliver Yarbrough discuss the skills and tools you need to be a PM entrepreneur.