An article in the ZfO (Zeitschrift „Führung und Organisation“ – a German magazine for „Management and Organisation“) uncovers 6 factors for success that have been familiar for quite some time now.
The German magazine „Zeitschrift Führung und Organisation“ (05/2012) recently published an article on the subject of success factors of reorganisation activities. Not only have many management writers already devoted themselves to this subject, but also does this large-scale international study – as could be expected - not reveal anything new: orientation to strategic targets, clear roles and responsibilities, management competence, decentralised organisational management, implementation competence, timing.
At least the authors can be proud to present the first valid study that statistically supports these factors. That’s true. Maybe this study serves another purpose, however. Maybe it simply has to be said more often and in different ways: Implementing a comprehensive change in a company is not exactly easy, but requires precise planning and controlling by a team of a company’s key personnel instead.
Fig. 1: How can reorganisation succeed?
From our point of view, 5 focus areas are essential for a successful change process:
(For attentive readers: Similarities between the factors from the study and the focus areas of our procedure are not a coincidence.)
Executives – Basically, the central question is how the executives are involved in the process and how their role towards the employees changes. The executives play a central role in change processes.
- Participation – The active participation of the employees in the change process results in lower risks in its implementation. By the way, this not only holds true for the employees, but for all relevant stakeholders as well.
- Information/Communication – Who needs which information when? What sounds so simple, is a complex management process of information and communication channels. Timing plays an essential role.
- Evaluation – The aim of the change process must have a strategic importance. How can you measure that the goal is achieved or that we are on the right track? Critical success factors serve as indicators along the process.
- Consolidation – This change becomes an integral part of the organisation when the change measures are implemented in the company. Main subjects are sustainable integration of new processes, responsibilities and structures.
Have you found points of agreement? We will be pleased to discuss them with you.