What is change management? 5-step process and guide

Human nature gravitates towards comfort, making change a challenging process to embrace despite its necessity in evolving technological and business landscapes. Organizations often implement change management processes to navigate transitions smoothly, but statistics show that about half of these initiatives fail. A five-step change management process, as outlined by the Harvard Business Review, includes preparing the organization, crafting a vision and plan, implementing the change, embedding it within company culture, and reviewing progress. The ADKAR model, which stands for awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement, helps ensure changes are successful by addressing individual components necessary for change. Additionally, the Change Curve, derived from Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's model, is used to understand the emotional stages people go through during changes, emphasizing the importance of supporting individuals to move through these stages effectively. Supporting employees and ensuring they are aligned with new processes is crucial, as change is essential for maintaining competitiveness and compliance.