Integration is a key aspect of COGiTATE’s service offering in supporting organisations and projects prepare for and manage change. At COGiTATE we apply systems thinking to understand how things, influence one another within a whole. At the organtisational level we consider systems from the aspect of people, processes and structures that work together to make an organisation perform.

 

At the project level, research has found that there is greater chance of successful outcomes when change is effectively managed on both the technical side and the people side. A technical side focus ensures that the change is developed, designed and delivered effectively. The discipline of project management provides the structure, processes and tools to make this happen. A people side focus ensures that the change is embraced, adopted and utilised by the employees who have to do their jobs differently as a result of the project. The discipline of change management provides the structure, processes and tools to make this happen. While each discipline can function independently, the most effective approach is to integrate change management and project management to create a unified approach to implementing change on the technical front and people side. Integrating change management and project management creates value on a given project for the following reasons:

 

• Enables a shared objective

• Enables proactive steps

• Enables sequencing and alignment

• Enables an exchange of information

 

One of the key perquisites to successful integration of change management and project management is having a structured and rigorous approach to change management. Just as project management brings a structured process and set of deliverables to the technical side of change, change management should also bring a structured process and set of deliverables to the people side of change. Without structure and rigor, it is difficult to integrate change management activities into a project delivery approach. Additionally, a structured and rigorous approach to managing the people side of change increases the credibility and accessibility with sponsors, project managers and project teams.

 

Critical to success of any organisational change; developmental, transitional or transformational; is effective leadership. At COGiTATE we make it clear to our clients that the number one success factor for any change is active and visible participation by the leaders. We work closely with leaders and their team from the start of any change to coach and support them to lead change from the front and build sustainable organisational change competency.