The Art and Science of Change Management

The Art and Science of Change Management

By Buck Consultants, an ACS Company

Stop for a moment and picture the Duomo in Florence, Italy, the Taj Mahal in India, or the Greek Parthenon. Their very creation relied on a combination of science and art. One element without the other, and these world-renowned masterpieces wouldn't be quite so magnificent.

The same is true for effective change management. It, too, takes the right combination of art and science. A new model created by Buck Consultants brings this fresh perspective to what has traditionally been a linear approach.

"For years, we've worked with linear models, which were good but incomplete," said Erik Van Slyke, principal in the human resource management practice of Buck Consultants, an ACS company. "Our change management model takes a more integrated approach, where the architecture of change is both an art and a science. We address the fact that change occurs during change. That's one area where other models tend to fall short."

By combining art and science, the Buck model combats some of the most common stumbling blocks: inconsistent messaging, competing agendas among stakeholders and continuing down a path that is no longer valid, among others.

The Players Make the Difference
 
Science represents the heavy lifter. In building terms, this would be the general contractor, the builder or the plumber. In the world of business, this translates to the taskmasterâ€"the person responsible for structure, tasks and milestones. 
Art represents the architect or the interior designer. In terms of your change management team, this is a person, typically very well connected throughout the organization, who gathers feedback, asks "why" and is outstanding at motivating people to do things, because of his or her relationships.

Scientists are the drivers of the change, while artists are the navigators who cycle in and out, asking the questions that keep things on track. They're the people who make sure that everyone isn't so intent on the destination that no one realizes the car is out of gas.

"When you think about it, there is always a little architect in the builder and a little builder in the architectâ€"human beings are not absolutes," Van Slyke explained. "Successful change management requires a team that consists of both scientists and artistsâ€"and a very clear understanding of why the change is happening in the first place. "

The Art and Science Change Management Model

The Buck change management model is depicted in a circular diagram, where the top half represents science and the bottom half represents art. More important are the responsibilities assigned to each side.

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