What Needs to Change?

Presumably you are reading this because you have identified a need for change in your organisation. If you have come to JISC infoNet then it is also possible that the change has to do with the use of information and learning technology within your organisation although the guidance given in this infoKit can be applied to any type of change project. Alternatively you may have identified a need to improve some aspect of your business processes in which case the infoKit on Process Review can help you identify what needs to be done.

You may have already developed a Business Case for the change - if not you may wish to view specific guidance on developing a Business Case for a Change Project. Our Project Management infoKit provides a template for preparing a Business Case. You will need to be clear about how the proposed change fits in with your institutional Mission and Strategy.

Many of the tools used for Process Review can also be helpful at the stage of identifying exactly what you need to change and why. Listed below are a number of tools that may help clarify your thinking and allow you to define your project more accurately:

• 5 Whys - helps analyse a problem

• Assumption Surfacing and Testing - challenges the 'inevitable and preordained' and might help you generate new ideas

• Backward Planning - can help generate a mind-set that the change can be done

• Change Variables - allows you to assess the impact of implementing the change to a greater or lesser extent

• Clarimission - can help you clarify and communicate your goals

• Clariscope - develops clarity about outcomes and generates ideas about how they can be achieved

• Prioritisation Matrix - helps you to take better decisions in a transparent way

• 7S Model - allows you to see how changes in one area may affect others

• SMART Targets - will help you to monitor whether the desired results are being achieved