To deal effectively with increasing rates of change it is important to understand its underlying causes. Organisational changes are frequently driven by causes external to the organisation.
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Political/Legal
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Socio-cultural
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Economic/Environmental
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Technology
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Change also occurs at different speeds, but broadly divides into gradual and radical forms.
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Analysing change
Both gradual and radical change may be either reactive or proactive, according to whether you make the change voluntarily or in response to other pressures.
Gradual change
A gradual change is a change that occurs slowly over a prolonged period, at a steady rate, or with minor fluctuations in intensity. It can involve many people, or just a few and is frequently linked to continuous improvement programmes.
Radical change
A radical change is a sudden and dramatic change with marked effects. Often radical change is on a large scale. Organisations and individuals often stand to gain most from a radical change. However the risks can appear to rise in direct proportion.
Learning to change may, in many cases, constitute a major change in itself. One of the best ways to establish a new adaptable way of thinking is to develop a ‘learning organisation’. This is an organisation in which change-oriented thinking becomes a habit for everyone, and so change is always under way, with all systems and processes constantly under review.
