We recently received a question here at Ask the CMMI Appraiser that could not be easily addressed in a single blog post. The question came from Jerry T, a federal contractor in Central Ohio, who asked about integrating Organizational Change Management (OCM) deliverables into his process improvement plan. Let us turn once again to our resident expert on this topic, Julie Calfin, Broadsword’s Director of Consulting. Julie does amazing work with companies that are undergoing large scale business transformation. Take it away, Julie! ~ The CMMI Appraiser
Thank you, CMMI Appraiser!
As I explained in my last post, the goal of integrating Organizational Change Management (OCM) strategy with your Process Improvement Plan is to help your people change their behavior quickly with minimal disruption to your business. There are OCM deliverables that can be added to each phase of your Process Improvement Plan that will help you introduce new behaviors to your organization incrementally and then root these behaviors in your organization’s culture.
The Phases that we recommend for your Process Improvement Plan are: 1) Initiate; 2) Implement; and 3) Operate.
Today, let’s consider the OCM deliverables in the first phase, Initiate:
Phase I, Initiate, is the beginning of your Process Improvement Program. The Initiate Phase is where you kick-off your program and prepare to move your employees systematically through the stages of change that are required to achieve your process improvement goals.
Some of the OCM deliverables in the Initiate Phase have already been addressed here on this blog:
- Stakeholder Involvement Plan: How do I get a critical mass of people to adopt the CMMI?
- Stakeholder Identification and Analysis: How do I identify stakeholders for adopting our CMMI-based process improvement program?
- Communications: As we adopt the CMMI, how do we improve internal communications?
- Vision: How do I communicate my vision for what we’ll look like after adopting the CMMI?
- Training for Program Sponsor: How can we accelerate our CMMI adoption?
- Communication Plan: Is there an easy way for managers communicate about adopting the CMMI?
One deliverable we have not yet addressed is the Case for Change. The Case for Change is the “powerful business case” or the “burning platform” for the Process Improvement Program. It’s essentially the compelling reasons, the data and the supporting arguments for why we need this business transformation. The Case for Change should be documented, but it should also be demonstrated. Employees need to see something that causes an emotional reaction inside them that says, “The status quo is not good enough -- we must change!” Data alone is not a sufficient Case for Change. The Case for Change must also include real life experiences that demonstrate why the organization must change.
Note that all of the OCM deliverables in the Initiate Phase of your Process Improvement Plan are set up when the program first begins. Clearly, this is quite a bit of work, but it is worth it in the end. You will find process adoption is easier when you take the time to plan for the people impacts of the change. These OCM deliverables are necessary for your SEPG to have a successful CMMI process improvement program.
Check back soon for OCM Deliverables, Phase II: Implement
Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!
Julie Calfin is the Director of Consulting at Broadsword Solutions Corporation. She has years of real world experience using OCM strategy and tactics to help her clients achieve their goals. Julie also uses the CMMI, in partnership with her clients, to set-up, monitor, and sustain process improvement programs.
Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information about running a successful CMMI program.
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