Change management is a complex concept that involves many different disciplines, from social and behavioral sciences to business and IT processes. ITIL is a framework for effective IT service management (ITSM) that provides real value to customers and businesses. ITIL consists of various stages, each of which includes a set of relevant processes. ITIL change management is part of the service transition phase, which recommends a process flow for evaluating, planning, and implementing a specific change request. The primary purpose of ITIL change management is to ensure that the execution of changes does not disrupt ongoing operations.
The ITIL change management process acts as a guardian that authorizes each changelog before moving on to the version management stage. IT and DevOps teams use ITIL change management on a daily basis to manage new change requests and plan implementation. There are various use cases in which ITIL change management can be used. The implementation of changes includes the correction of security errors. ITIL change management is beneficial for any company, regardless of its size or nature.
Change management solves multiple use cases and takes advantage of the process flow to improve efficiency and reduce risk. When it comes to managing change, it is important to understand the different stages that employees go through when a personal or corporate change begins. Fisher's change management model analyzes these transition stages. A major change is a high-risk, high-impact change that could disrupt active production environments if not properly planned. Structural changes include major changes in the management hierarchy, the organization of the team, the responsibilities attributed to different departments, the chain of command, the structure of work, and administrative procedures. Author Rick Maurer's model of change focuses specifically on the three mindsets that employees may experience when they resist change.
An effective management strategy is essential to ensure that companies make a successful transition and adapt to any changes that may occur. Quality control and testing are performed frequently and, therefore, following a standard change management process helps control risk. Post-implementation review is crucial for emergency changes to understand potential risks in the future, and detailed documentation is mandatory after the changes are executed. Managing technological change consists of identifying new technologies and implementing a digital strategy to improve productivity and profitability. Harvard professor John Kotter's 1996 book Leading Change is a reference on how to manage change in business.
Approximately 50 percent of all organizational change initiatives are unsuccessful, which highlights why knowing how to plan, coordinate and carry out change is a valuable skill for both managers and business leaders. Lewin's change management model works well for mergers and acquisitions because it focuses on creating a new status quo. Change management also helps the company and all members of the work group to see the desired point of success, development and progress that can be achieved simply and effectively.
