Change management on construction projects
Change management is a term that is used to refer to the preparation and support that is required in the process of organisational change.
It provides a structured approach to helping individuals, teams and entire organisations change their approach, attitude, position and responsibilities within an organisation. It can be appropriate to assist in the redirection or redefinition of; budget allocations, resource use, business process, and other modes of operation.
Organisations can go through periods of significant change during construction projects. There may be need to:
- Redefine business operations during the preparation of a project brief.
- Re-structure the business organisation.
- Move the location of the business, which can entail moving house, moving children to a new school, moving partners and so on.
- Develop a migration strategy to move from one building to another.
- Adopt new business practices.
These can be complicated and even traumatic changes for employees, and professional change management advice can be beneficial in ensuring that business operations are maintained and business objectives achieved.
In a construction, the term 'change management' can sometimes be used to refer to change control processes where changes to a project’s scope – which may have impacts on time, cost or quality – are assessed and approved. See Change control for more information.
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