How to Facilitate Effective Change Management Training with Online Tools
Change management is more crucial than ever. Companies are rapidly upgrading technology to stay ahead of disruptive trends like AI, while simultaneously implementing cultural and organizational changes to adapt to both internal and external forces. Without effective change management, many of these initiatives risk failure due to poor change adoption.
But traditional change management training often falls short. Lectures and theoretical frameworks can leave participants feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to apply their newfound knowledge in real-world situations.
So, how can we bridge the gap between theory and practice? How do you manage change with a well-trained OCM team? The answer lies in hands-on training methods that equip learners with practical skills and tools they can immediately implement.
In this article, we’ll explore the limitations of traditional change management training for managers and explore the benefits of incorporating change management software like OCMS Portal, which offers a built-in change management process to create a more effective and engaging learning experience.
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Why Traditional Change Management Training for Leaders Falls Short
While traditional OCM training methods have their place, they often fall short in equipping learners with the practical skills needed to navigate real-world change initiatives. Here’s why:
- Theory Overload: Trainees may be bombarded with complex frameworks and models, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to apply them in practical situations.
- Limited Application: Passive learning through lectures and case studies doesn’t provide enough opportunity for applying newly learned concepts, leading to knowledge gaps and a lack of confidence.
- Focus on Knowledge, not Skills: Traditional change management training often focuses on imparting knowledge about change management but doesn’t adequately translate this knowledge into practical skills like stakeholder engagement, communication planning, or resistance management.
These limitations can leave participants feeling unprepared to lead or participate in organizational changes effectively.
Do you have any questions about change management and training for change practitioners? Do you need more help to answer “How do you manage change?” Please reach out and let us know.
The Power of Hands-on Learning: Why “Doing” is Key
Learning by doing is a fundamental principle of adult learning. Change management professionals learn best by actively engaging with the material, applying their knowledge to simulated or actual scenarios, and receiving feedback and change management advice on their approach. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding, builds confidence, and equips participants to tackle real-world challenges.
Here are some key benefits of incorporating hands-on learning into change management training for managers:
- Increased Engagement: Interactive activities and simulations keep learners engaged, fostering a more enjoyable and productive learning experience.
- Improved Knowledge Retention: Active application of concepts leads to deeper understanding and better knowledge retention compared to passive learning methods.
- Skill Development: Hands-on exercises provide opportunities to practice critical change management skills, like communication, planning, and risk management, in a safe environment.
- Confidence Building: Successfully navigating simulated change scenarios builds confidence and empowers learners to apply their skills in real-world situations.
By incorporating hands-on learning activities, change management and training can transform from a theoretical exercise into a practical skill-building workshop.
How Change Management Software Can Enhance Your Training
Change management software can be a powerful tool for enhancing your OCM training programs. Software like OCMS Portal, with its built-in change management framework and process, offers several benefits:
Structured Approach
Software for change management provides a comprehensive framework for planning, implementing, and monitoring change initiatives, guiding learners through each stage of the process.
On-demand Video Tutorials
Rather than sitting through a long change management workshop, people can get help right when they need it through concise video tutorials.
Tasks Checklist
Prepopulated task lists help users learn change management by seeing the typical steps taken and when to take them. As they gain knowledge, they can adjust the checklist to match their project needs.
Collaboration Features
Collaboration features within the software allow learners to work together on case studies and projects, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
Automated OCM Plans
Platforms, like OCMS Portal, that automate the generation of stakeholder engagement plans and the OCM plan act as effective organizational change management training, providing guidance and helpful change management tips that are customized to project data.
Real-World Application
OCM software can be used to manage real change initiatives in progress, allowing learners to apply their skills in a practical context, which greatly improves their understanding of how to do change management.
By integrating these features into your organizational change training program, change management software can take your learning experience to the next level.
Please let us know if you have any questions about change management training for leaders or how to plan a productive change management workshop. We’ll be happy to help!
Beyond the Software: Building a Well-Rounded OCM Training Program
While change management software offers significant benefits, it should be seen as a valuable tool within comprehensive change management training for employees. Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Expert Instruction: Combine the software with live training sessions delivered by experienced change management professionals who can provide personalized feedback and guidance.
- Case Studies and Real-World Examples: Supplement the training with relevant case studies and real-world examples that resonate with the learners’ industry and experience level.
- Ongoing Learning Opportunities: Encourage continuous learning by offering access to additional resources, online courses, and professional development opportunities.
By combining hands-on change management and training, software tools, and expert guidance, you can create a comprehensive training program that equips change management professionals with the practical skills and confidence they need to lead successful organizational transitions.
Conclusion: Learning by Doing for Lasting Change Management Training Impact
Change management is a complex skill set that requires not just theoretical knowledge, but also the ability to translate that knowledge into practical action.
By incorporating hands-on learning methods and utilizing change management software like OCMS Portal, training programs can move beyond theory and equip participants with the tools and confidence they need to learn change management and navigate real-world change initiatives effectively.
Here’s a final takeaway:
- Focus on Skills, not Just Knowledge: Ensure your change management training online emphasizes practical skills like communication planning, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.
- Create a Safe Space for Experimentation: Provide opportunities for learners to experiment with different approaches and receive constructive feedback in a safe, pilot environment.
- Foster Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage teamwork and sharing of change management tips among participants to enhance learning and build a strong network of change management professionals.
By embracing a hands-on approach and leveraging the power of technology, change management training for managers of OCM can evolve into a transformative experience that equips individuals to become effective agents of positive change within their organizations.
Would you like to get change management advice based on best practices and practical change management tips delivered to your inbox monthly? Sign up for our OCMS Portal Newsletter.
OCMS Portal – Software That Teaches You How to Do Change Management
OCMS Portal is designed around a simple change management framework. This framework encompasses all the critical components of successful change management, including impact and stakeholder analysis, communication planning, change readiness, and performance measurement. By following this structured approach, learners can systematically address each aspect of change, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
Empower your team with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a changing world. Explore the OCMS Portal today and discover how hands-on change management training can transform your organization.
FAQ: Change Management and Training
What’s the problem with “book” training only for OCM?
The answer to “How do you manage change?” can only be partially answered by sitting in classrooms or going to a change management workshop. Change management training for leaders of OCM is most effective when it includes a hands-on element. This is why using software built around a proven change management process is a great way to conduct organizational change management training.
Why does traditional change management training for employees often fall short of fully preparing OCM teams?
Some of the reasons traditional change management training online or in class often falls short of properly preparing teams to lead change are they can get overloaded with complex theories, don’t have an opportunity to apply newly learned concepts, and are just gaining knowledge, not practical skills.
Why is OCMS Portal software a great way to help new change managers learn change management?
OCMS Portal is built to help guide change managers through organizational change training at the same time as giving them powerful tools to manage and report on their change initiatives. The software also comes with a full team of customer success specialists, ready to help with change management advice and tips.
Note: Content on OCM Solution's ocmsolution.com website is protected by copyright. Should you have any questions or comments regarding this OCM Solutions page, please reach out to Ogbe Airiodion (Change Management Lead) or the OCM Solutions Team today. OCM Solution was previously known as Airiodion Global Services (AGS).
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