Change Analysis

Need for Change Analysis

Why do we do the things the way we do them? Are the reasons that were used as rationale still valid today?

It can be extremely beneficial for a company to "step out of the forest and look at the trees". There may be large potential payoff for the company if it can consistently examine why it does things the way it does, across a broad spectrum of topics (functions, tasks, and preferences). Often the original rationale for doing something a particular way may no longer be valid - igniting the need for change.

Here is a structured process that a company can use to identify topics that may be in need of change. It may be helpful to examine each of the functional areas of our company in rotation, and to include "Customer Feedback" as a recurrent topic.

A possible sequence of (monthly) topics for analysis may be:

1 - Planning

2 - Customer Feedback (e.g., complaints or comments)

3 - Product/Service Development & Innovation

4 - Pricing/Credit

5 - Customer Feedback (e.g., complaints or comments)

6 - Promotion

7 - Management/Leadership

8 - Customer Feedback (e.g., complaints or comments)

9 - Physical Facilities/Locations

10 - Human Resources

11 - Customer Feedback (e.g., complaints or comments)

12 - Operations/Production

Once you have determined your monthly sequence, add the topics to calendar. Then, complete the process ...

The Change Analysis Process

1) Identify a topic in need of attention (e.g., customer feedback on a topic)

2) Brainstorm (individually or in group) 5 issues that need improvement (or you would like to change) about this topic

3) For each issue: Why do you think it is this way? What caused it to be done the way it is currently being done?

4) For each issue: Do these reasons still exist [maybe conditions have changed]?

a] If not: Eliminate the issue

b] If they still exist: What is another alternative to solve it? Any different ways to handle it today?

This is a simple process, yet it may produce strong incremental impacts.

Change Analysis Form

Change Analysis Form