Deck 20: Managing Strategic Change

Question 1

There are at least four types of change, running the gamut from conservative to radical. Provide the names of those four types and describe what is different among them.

Answer 1

$\bullet$ Adaptation
$\bullet$ Reconstruction
$\bullet$ Evolution
$\bullet$ Revolution
$\bullet$ These change types are distinguished by differences in the scope of change involved (how radical a shift it requires in the organization's present modes of operation) and the pace of the change (how quickly it must take place).

Question 2

Most of the time, organizations have control over when and how they will carry out change, including the type of change. There are several situational factors that determine the type of change that management can choose to employ. Identify four of those factors.

Answer 2

$\bullet$ Change Urgency
$\bullet$ Scale/Extent of Change
$\bullet$ Activities Protected from Change
$\bullet$ Workforce Homogeneity
$\bullet$ Change Competency
$\bullet$ Change Capacity
$\bullet$ Preparedness for Change
$\bullet$ Authority to Change

Question 3

To implement a change, management must interact with its employees to give directions and overcome resistance. There are five generic supervisor-subordinate tools that can be used. Identify three of them.

Answer 3

$\bullet$ Communicate
$\bullet$ Collaborate
$\bullet$ Delegate
$\bullet$ Command
$\bullet$ Coerce

Question 4

One of the models for carrying out a change initiative is abbreviated "unfreeze-change-freeze". Explain what this means in practical terms.

Question 5

The book describes 16 steps in a "best practices" methodology for implementing strategic change. Propose your own multi-step procedure for executing a major organizational change. Include a minimum of six steps, which may be from those listed in the book or from your own imagination.

Question 6

With relation to anticipating and managing change, the book uses the term "constant white water". What is your understanding of the meaning of this term in the context of organizational change?

Question 7

Organizational change plans frequently encounter varying levels of resistance from employees. Describe four techniques that a manager could use to try to overcome that resistance.