What to Look for When Choosing a Change Management Training Program

Posted by Don Harrison on Wed, Jun 26, 2019 @ 12:20 PM

I recently did a quick google search on the words “Change Management Training” and was shocked to see the number of options that came up. The marketplace is, in fact, filled with countless choices. There were even sites that filtered the options for you. Find the right change management training now! Choosing a Change Management Training

But for those of us who have been around the block a few times, we know not all change management training options are created equally and picking one is not as easy as just doing an online search.

The Need to Build Capability

In today’s busy, business world almost every organization has multiple projects going on in various stages of completion. Most of these projects are extremely complex with multiple layers to them. This, combined with a poor history of past implementations, can likely be the trigger for the dreaded Google Search for Change Management Training Options.

But, while Change Management Training is certainly a critical piece of this process, I often tell my clients they need to re-frame their thinking from “training” to “capability building.” This simple mind shift allows you to develop change “bench-strength” across the key players who have accountability for implementation. It also allows you to begin to build a critical mass of skilled practitioners who can then be deployed on future projects. Thus, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful implementations on your current project as well as future implementations.

5 Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Capability Building Program

So, how do you find the right program for you? Below I’ve listed 5 questions you should ask yourself and your vendors when shopping for a Change Management program:

  • Who is leading the session?
    Best in class Change Management programs should always be led by someone who has actual on the ground experience implementing change. It is the years of experience in dealing with Sponsor issues, project teams, setting up Change Agent networks, etc. that make the facilitator an expert and add richness to the session. Without it, the training is only conceptual.
  • Is the session "operationally" focused?
    Theories are well and good, but a repeatable process that enables changes to be implemented more quickly and to full realization is way more important. Change management certification should always focus on the “how to” with operationalized tactics and strategies. In simpler words, the focus of the session needs to be on getting things done faster and more successfully!
  • Will you be working on your own project or strategy during the program?
    Training is much more meaningful and useful when you apply what you are learning to your own project, rather than to case studies or simulations that may or may not match your own situation. You are at a real advantage when you leave training with at least a start on actual project deliverables.
  • Will you be prepared for the level of complexity found back on the job?
    A good change management certification session should be focused on providing actionable strategies, tactics, and deliverables on what it takes to deliver the project to full value realization, at speed, back on the job.
  • Is there the option for ongoing mentoring and coaching after the session?
    No matter how good a class is the truth of the matter is you can't learn enough in a classroom setting in just a few days to deal with all the complexities you may face on your own program or project. Having access to additional resources and/or consulting is invaluable.

As you evaluate options, remember the goal is not about making people feel better about your project, or convincing them of the logic of your change. Rather, the object of the game is to have greater ability to implement changes in your organization.

Accreditation in AIM

The AIM Change Management Methodology is built around a set of 10 core principles designed to guide you in knowing what to do and when to do it to achieve value realization for strategic investments. It emphasizes a fit for purpose approach that uses personal judgment (based on principles) to determine which strategies and tactics are needed in the moment, reflecting the cyclical and iterative nature of change itself.

Accreditation in the AIM Change Management Methodology gives you the principles, strategies, tools, and tactics to analyze and mitigate the key risks on the people side of a change for any type of project, no matter how complex, under any conditions you face.

As the developer of the framework and with over 40 years of change management experience, I lead the majority of the AIM Accreditation sessions. We work as a team to prepare you to handle the day to day realities of your project.

Whatever training option you select for your organization, whether it is AIM or another organization’s package, make sure you do your research and select the training program based on the outcomes you are looking for. Leave Google searches for researching fun facts. Your Change Management program is just too important.

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Topics: Change Management Methodology, Accelerating Implementation Methodology (AIM), Comparing Change Management Methodologies, Change Management Training