Change Management

Last Updated: July 11, 2017

Definition - What does Change Management mean?

Change management is an IT services management (ITSM) strategy in which a systematic approach ensures the efficient and seamless flow of change in an organization's IT infrastructure. Change management helps all involved parties, including both individuals and teams, to move from a current state to the next desired state. Change management also helps to minimize the impact of related incidents on service. Change is prevalent in any IT organization and it may arise reactively in response to problems or be externally imposed.

Change management is also a project management process where change requires formal adherence to established policies.

Techopedia explains Change Management

Change management is critical for organizations and teams of various sizes and in various industries, including IT and manufacturing. It can ensure that standardized methods, processes and procedures are used for all changes, facilitate efficient and prompt handling of changes, and maintain the proper balance between the need for change and the potential detrimental impact it may cause.

Change management applies critical modifications to an organization's structure and methodology and is geared toward minimizing change resistance, which allows change to be embraced by all involved parties. Ultimately, the goal is for the organization to achieve successful transformation to a more desirable state.

Change management objectives include:

Minimized impact of security or integrity changes
Planned and facilitated changes to ensure seamless production
Enhanced production efficiency

Change may be anticipated or unexpected, and organizations must establish change adaptation policies to avoid organizational issues or total breakdown. All involved parties - including employees, management and board members - must adhere to their organization's change management policies.