| Barack Obama campaigned on the theme of being | | | | Companies putting in new technology, software or |
| the candidate for change. That's a message which is | | | | systems would do well to incorporate change |
| resonating with many. And then there is Mike | | | | management programs. People like to feel like they're |
| Huckabee who was promoting the Fair Tax (not the | | | | an expert in their jobs. A change in new systems and |
| flat tax). That's one concrete measure, which if | | | | technology will inevitably require employees to learn |
| implemented, would cause a dramatic change in the | | | | new skills or to do things in a different way. So, |
| United States. It would eliminate the IRS and more | | | | another consideration when implementing software is |
| importantly put an end to tax code manipulation by | | | | business process re- engineering / improvement / |
| Congress. One drawback to the fair tax is that the | | | | management. New systems may have great potential |
| transition would be painful. | | | | benefits. But if it is not used, circumvented or |
| Although people may say they want change, its | | | | resisted, companies have wasted time and money to |
| human nature to resist it. We're creatures of habit. | | | | implement. |
| We like ease and comfort. Many people stay in jobs | | | | The cure for most of what I call "post |
| they hate because of fear of the unknown and fear | | | | implementation distress" is an assessment, diagnosis, |
| of change. How many do not stop smoking or shed | | | | and remediation service. Key parts of the cure and |
| excess pounds because the process of getting to | | | | healing process are change management, process |
| the goal is uncomfortable, painful, or downright scary. | | | | improvement, documentation and training. |
| And then there are the changes in the US and global | | | | You may be a high achieving senior manager or |
| economy. We can no longer rely on bank, financial | | | | executive, leading your company through uncharted |
| markets and blue chip stocks. Gas prices have soared | | | | waters. And you probably are very good at what |
| and have come down. People were flocking to high | | | | you do. But on a personal level, how well do you |
| fuel efficiency cars. Now that prices are substantially | | | | adjust to significant change? Change is not easy |
| lower, they may need to change their thinking again. | | | | even for a superstar. If you're voting for change, |
| A few months ago, my good friend, Rev. Angela | | | | you want it to be as effective, successful and |
| Harrington Rice, announced "Life Designs 2008" which | | | | stress-free as possible. |
| facilitates change and self actualization on a personal | | | | Ideally you had good project management and |
| level. Angela's announcements included the statement | | | | governance (Independent Verification and Validation |
| "Change is good and inevitable". I think all would agree | | | | -IV&V) on the front end. And ideally you have |
| with the inevitable part, but there may be some | | | | budgeted for resolving people issues at the beginning |
| debate about how good it is. And, most would agree | | | | of the project. If you've already implemented, |
| that there are many things that other people, our | | | | wouldn't it be prudent for your organization to get |
| country, and the world should change. I love the | | | | the cure for Post Implementation Distress? Or, at |
| saying by Mahatma Gandhi "Be the change you want | | | | least incorporate a change management program? |
| to see". It puts the onus back on us. | | | | |