Overcoming Implementation Failure through Change Management

 Implementation changes in software, workflow, and process can be very challenging. One of the biggest hurdles is overcoming the resistance to change.

Resistance to change is perfectly natural, we typically do not like to change the processes we are comfortable with, even if we know they can be improved and, in some cases, actually detrimental to our success.

As human beings, we are typically reluctant to step out of our comfort zones. However, it is only when we do step out of our comfort zone that we have the opportunity to grow and develop.

As a result, managing the process of change is as important as strategically planning the actual change.

Here are my tips on change management.

Change Management

Managing change is the only way to successfully implement change.

Change Management requires an understanding of the process involved with change, the expectations, solutions, impacts, and consequences.

Change Initiative

• Identify an opportunity
• Define the scope and objectives
• Design the solution
• Develop the process
• Implement the solution

Change is often a complex and difficult process that requires the knowledge and understanding of how to successfully implement change to the staff. By diagnosing employee’s resistance to change and developing an outline of a communication strategy that minimizes disruption encourages personal development and maximizes employee retention.

Leading successful change requires new ways of thinking and unique tools and skills. Using the ADKAR method of Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement we can manage the change process.

Managing Change. Image courtesy of Prosci Inc.

The ADKAR method outlines each step of the framework for change:

·     Awareness of the need to change Desire to participate and support change Knowledge of how to change Ability to implement changes to day to day operation Reinforcement to maintain change.

The ADKAR model is useful for:

• Diagnoses of employee resistance to change
• Assisting employees to transition through the change process
• Creating a successful action plan does both personal and professional advancement
• Development of a change management plan for employees

Overcoming Failure

Employees are often resistant to change not because they are opposed to a new method or process but because no one has made a compelling case for the need for change and provided them with a safe environment to undertake change.

Effective communication from the top down is crucial to successful change, staff needs permission and clear direction for change to be successful.

Providing on-demand support and regularly scheduled “check in’s” instill a level of confidence in the staff to continue the implementation process while providing the confidence to overcome any perceived issues.

What is Aeos?

I often get asked... "What is Aeos?"

Aeos is a consulting firm with a focus on improving how the Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) industry delivery projects to their clients (Owners).

Today’s design firms are challenged with meeting the evolving needs of their clients. Constraints such as time and budget are not uncommon and have been the “norm” since…forever..!

Today’s clients/owners and their projects are demanding more, they are demanding efficiency in construction due to social responsibility combined with the ever-increasing pressure to economize construction and operational costs. Essentially we have to design, construct, and operate buildings more efficiently.

Design consultants are pressured to deliver more with less. Increased complexity of scope due to the demand from clients to be completed in less time, with reduced fees and less staff. 

The AEC industry is evolving from a traditional process to one of a holistic approach in delivering our built environment as opposed to a linear architectural approach to design. Architects and the entire design team now have work symbiotically with the entire project team, not only design and construction but also the owner, supplier, trades, etc. Digital 

Project Delivery has revolutionized the traditional process of how we design, construct and operate buildings. This change has been instigated by many factors including the evolving use of technology in the design and construction process, such as Building Information Modeling, sustainability pressures (social responsibility) and economics.

Aeos has arisen as a result of this change in the traditional process of delivering design to one of Digital Project Delivery where workflow incorporating technology plays a crucial role in the day to day production of the delivery of today’s complex projects.

With the rapid development of Building Information Modeling (BIM), and the demand for improved BIM utilization to meet the project demands, design firms are struggling with the implementation and utilization of BIM. This struggle is exacerbated by the rapid development of technology and the increasing complexity of projects and the “forcing” of the use of technology within a traditional process, resulting in in-efficiency, increased risk, and reduced profitability.

The goal of Aeos is to provide guidance and support to the AEC industry in improving how we deliver projects in the age of Digital Project Delivery through managing changes in the workflow required by today's project demands.

Our goal is to help firms successfully deliver projects efficiently, effectively and profitably. We help design firms become profitable, improve competitive marketing advantage, retain key staff and design a production workflow that enables them to improve utilization, reduce risk and meet the needs of the project.

Aeos can provide essential services concentrating on digital project delivery production include;

•       Digital Practice Consulting
•        Workflow and Process Analysis  
•       Project Triage
•       BIM Implementation
•       Application Training
•       And much more.

If your organization is struggling with adapting to a Digital Project Delivery Workflow give Aeos a call to discover how we can help your firm reach it’s potential. 

You can reach Aeos at info@aeosconsulting.ca or find out more on our web site www.aeosconsulting.ca 

As to the name…. Aeos is the mythological horse that drew the Sun Charriot along with three other horses across the sky for the Greek sun God Helios.

The analogy here is Aeos Consulting helping you succeed in helping drive forward your goals, by bringing together a team of experts.

Discover the potential of your BIM

BIM (Building Information Model) just does not describe the complex process of today’s process of delivering AEC projects.

BIM is the foundational platform of how we deliver projects and it’s the basis upon which we build layer upon layer of data and information often using multiple applications. However, I feel when we talk about BIM were just talking about the model, we're forgetting about the “I” in BIM, the Information and the potential of BIM beyond design and drawing documentation.

When we talk about BIM the emphasis should be on the information required to execute and manage a project, this is where the “i” in “BIM” is a crucial factor, otherwise, we're just using BIM as a design tool and underutilizing the vast potential of this amazing resource. This is where designers are Building Modeling rather than Building Information Modeling.

I’ve come across design studios that promote themselves as being BIM capable only because they're staff is using a 3D Modeling application to generate a model for the development of construction documentation and visualization, they are under-utilizing the full potential of the model.

Sure, BIM can help you convey the design intent to your clients, however, this is a gross underutilization of this powerful tool.

“Discover the Potential of your BIM”

Utilize the information within your model to provide value-added information to your client. Easily automate processes such as schedules, quantification, design options, building performance elements such as solar studies, lighting analysis, and heating and cooling effects. All of which is simply achieved by utilizing the functionality of the application with no other need for additional software (see ROI on software investment)! This is the “low hanging fruit” of BIM utilization. It’s the After Design Utilization of BIM that we can improve upon.

Simple deliverables of data and information to the client (owner/operator) can provide additional value to the project and your client. Government authorities such as Infrastructure can utilize BIM for city planning, strategic development, asset management and much more (Smart Cities). Direct to fabrication is becoming more common and soon BIM submissions to authorities will be commonplace.

As the industry matures so does the need of our deliverables, our BIM Maturity needs to keep inline with the growing needs and demands of our industry, if we don’t keep up, we fall behind and then it becomes more challenging to catch up.

Its time for a new acronym.

“It’s not BIM, its Digital Project Delivery”

Personally, I’ve been using the term “Digital Project” to describe the whole process of design, performance analysis, cost analysis, visualization, construction sequencing, pre-fabrication, building operation and maintenance and asset management…etc.. Phew! This entails a lot more than just the collaborative design process we refer to as BIM.

The point I’m trying to make is that the AECO industry is growing and evolving rapidly, new technologies, processes, and uses of BIM are becoming apparent every day at every level demanding a higher utilization of Building Information Modeling.

Look at ways you can improve on the utilization of your BIM, and see your business grow!