Change is inevitable. An organization must go through a change to be able to remain within its business scope and compete effectively in the market (Misty 2009). Having emphasized enough on this topic, the major question that pops in our minds is whether change management has more of advantages than disadvantages during system implementation. Change in an organization is basically aimed at improving performance (Prosci.com 2008). System implementation is a process that includes the fiscal analysis and design for a proposed information system within an organization. System implementation is aimed towards bringing change in how business activities are conducted within and outside an organization. Change management is aimed at ensuring that system implementation is smoothly conducted and that the change in management from the previous system is handed over in a safe and smooth manner. As far as this paper is concerned, there are no cons that can outweigh the pros of change management during system implementation in case everything is done in a standard environment during the change process.
The primary goal of having a change management during system implementation is to ensure that everything run smoothly according to plan. This comes with numerous advantages such as reducing the cost of system implementation. According to Geof, apart from reducing the cost of system implementation, change management ensures that the newly installed system is not rejected by the employees or whoever is concerned as training to those affected is conducted as one of its steps (2014).
Designing a new system in an organization is costly to an organization financially. Change management is a way to ensuring that the system implemented in the organization has a higher Return on Investment (ROI). To ensure a high ROI, change management must involve all the people involved (Businessball.com 2016). Among the other benefits that an organization stands to enjoy when they implement change management are the opportunities to develop in the future (Mike 2010). Through learning, the organization will be able to face the process of system implementation smoothly in case change management is well conducted and executed in the organization.
Change management has many advantages; however, there are also some disadvantages that come with the process. The biggest con of change management during system implementation is the high cost it involves. It is costly to hire a third party to monitor change management in case the in-house staffs are not in the position to execute the process without problems.
Additionally, during system implementation, change management always takes a lot of employees' time which can result in poor production within the organization in case they are not involved through communicating, which might derail the project of system implementation (Misty 2009). In one way or the other, some organizations will try to involve all of their employees in system implementation process and change management through activities such as training. These activities are not only costly to the organization but also time-consuming on the sides of the employees.
Famous organizations such as Starbucks and Microsoft have both faced change management during system implementation. Starbucks wanted to change the manner they served their clients. The system in which the stores were arranged, the exit and entrance, for instance, had to be changed to ensure efficient service delivery. During this time, the company had to lay off some employees but ensured that their primary goal, to serve their clients better was achieved. One way that Starbucks ensured change management according to Mike was to engage leadership and own the issue (2010).
Having looked at some of the pros and cons of change management during the system implementation process, it can be concluded that, though disadvantages also exist in a big number, the pros still outweigh them. An organization stands a bigger chance to gain than to lose when they implement change management during the system implementation process.
References
Businessballs.com. (2016). Change Management. http://www.businessballs.com/changemanagement.htm
Geof, L. (2014). 10 Benefits of an Organizational Change Management Plan. Paragon Solutions. <<http://www.consultparagon.com/blog/10-benefits-of-an-organizational-change-management-plan>
Learnskills.org. (2008). Importance of Change Management in an Organization. <<https://learnskills.org/wordpress/importance-of-change-management-in-an-organisation/10/2008>>
Mike, M. (2010). How Starbucks Managed Rapid Change on a Large Scale. Quality Digest. <<http://www.qualitydigest.com/inside/twitter-ed/how-starbucks-managed-rapid-change-large-scale.html#>>
Misty, F. (2009). Negotiating the Advantages and Disadvantages of Change Management. Bright Hub Project Management. <<http://www.brighthubpm.com/change-management/18477-negotiating-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-change-management/>>
Prosci.com. (2008). Why Change Management. <<https://www.prosci.com/change-management/why-change-management>>
