Plan for workplace change

Internal drivers of change

Sometimes, factors inside the organisation bring about change. These are changes that happen because someone – management, staff or unions, for example – see the need for change to occur.

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Internal drivers can relate to:

changes in the organisation's strategy
changes in the staff
the introduction of new equipment
employee attitudes.

Changes in the organisation's strategyFor example, a Board of Management may appoint a new CEO to implement new ways of doing things, such as enterprise agreements with staff. The internal driver of change is the Board which wants to change the way the organisation is run. Changes in the staffWorkforce changes can have a major impact upon an organisation; for example, jobs may be restructured and benefits reviewed in order to retain young and enthusiastic managers. Here the management of the organisation is driving the change by developing a strategy for future development.The introduction of new equipmentThe introduction of new equipment may be seen as necessary to cut costs, or to get a job done faster or better. Management may see this as a way of increasing profits in the future. Employee attitudesEmployee attitudes may provide strong impetus for change; for example, staff concerns about health and safety might result in equipment being modified or new equipment being purchased. Here, staff (probably through the union) are driving the change by voicing their concerns about their own wellbeing and the safety of their workplace.

Stakeholders (sometimes called key players) are people who initiate or are affected by a change; for example, management, employees, union delegates and members of the board of management. They are also people who have an interest (often financial) in an organisation.

Change agents are people who support and manage a change, such as senior management, middle management, employees, clients, customers and consultants.

Read the memo (available below in PDF and RTF formats):

PDF format
RTF format

What is the proposed internal change?
What is likely to happen as a result of the change?
What is the reason for the change?
Who are the stakeholders?
Who are the change agents?

Keep a record of your responses to these questions. You may need to submit them to your teacher for assessment purposes.

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Plan for workplace change