How to Fail at Change Management

Chapter 2

The Change Construct, Process, and Triggers

Is “Change Management” Too Big a Word?

An examination of the change management literature as well as the appeal to common sense illustrates a potential core problem with the concept of change management. Change management is a “construct.” Although the word is defined as “the management of the planning and introduction of new methods, techniques, and processes in an organization,” it is a single term that refers to many things and is therefore understood differently by different people. Also, when the term is used, it is not clear exactly what specific action should be taken. For example, if the executive were to tell an employee to “Start implementing change management tomorrow!” few would ...