Embracing a people-first approach to change management

Tech stack upgrades are essential for company growth, but they can be disruptive and costly, often causing friction among employees and eroding trust in leadership due to chaotic implementation. While traditional change management focuses on smoothly integrating new tools by considering their technical impact, it often overlooks the broader organizational effects on employees, such as shifts in roles and responsibilities or the potential need for additional training. People-first change management addresses these issues by considering how changes affect all employees, not just those directly using the new tools, thereby increasing the success rate of the transition. Successful implementation involves planning for how the new tool will impact team dynamics, potentially alter job roles, necessitate new hires, and require comprehensive training programs tailored to different roles. An effective change management plan should also identify who will oversee the transition, including leaders from affected teams and possibly a dedicated DevOps or training team, to ensure a smooth and inclusive onboarding process.