Managing and Controlling Strategic Change

Definition and Importance

Strategic change refers to the implementation of new strategies within an organisation that fundamentally alter the business direction.
The concept is an essential component of strategic implementation because it focuses on the practical application of new strategies.
Effective management and control of strategic change can lead to increased business competitiveness and successful adaptation.

Key Aspects of Managing and Controlling Strategic Change

Planning: Understand the desired outcomes and set clear, achievable goals for the strategic change process.
Resourcing: Ensure adequate resources, including time, finances, and personnel, are available to successfully implement and manage the strategic change.
Monitoring: Regularly assess the progress of the strategic change against the set goals.
Controlling: Promptly intervene to redirect the strategic change process when it deviates from the established guidelines.

Strategies for Managing and Controlling Strategic Change

Communication: Maintain clear, timely, and transparent communication about the strategic change with all relevant stakeholders.
Success Criteria: Pre-define the criteria for a successful change and evaluate progress against these regularly.
Contingency planning: Pre-plan for potential obstacles or resistance to change to ensure the smooth implementation of strategic changes.
Performance Evaluation: Set up mechanisms to closely monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategic change.

Potential Barriers

Facing resistance from employees who may be averse to changes in their job roles or working conditions.
Encountering hurdles in resources - financial or human - can lead to challenges in implementing strategic change.
Poor communication, which can lead to confusion about the goals or steps of the strategic change.

Connection to Strategic Implementation

Managing and controlling strategic change is crucial in turning strategic decisions into real business actions and results.
As the ‘how’ and ‘when’ part of strategic implementation, it involves dealing with the practical aspects of implementing strategic decisions.
It ensures the strategic changes are systematically implemented, monitored, and controlled to achieve the desired outcomes.

In conclusion, managing and controlling strategic change is a linchpin to a well-conducted strategic implementation. It demands meticulous planning, sound communication, robust monitoring, and effective control mechanisms to derive the desired results.