At Strategy have a comprehensive approach to change management.
The instructional model incorporated into the problem-based learning process allows
relevant conceptual frameworks to emerge out of the learners’ experience while they play the simulation. The introduction of change theory during the process of active problem-solving enables the employees to view theory as a practical tool. When adopter type theory is introduced, they immediately see the benefits of having a
conceptual model to assist in organizing their thinking.
At this point we would like to reemphasize our instructional goal of developing employee ability to think strategically and flexibly. To us this means that employees will be able to understand and apply the key factors that form the context for change in an organization and use that understanding to formulate effective change leadership strategies. Indeed, we stress three related points throughout the module:
• Every context is different and there is no single sequence of steps that will bring about effective change in all situations. Therefore, memorizing or even seeking to identify one best sequence is useless.
• There are many possible strategies (i.e., sequences of activities) that will yield excellent results in bringing about the change in any single context. Begin by seeking to understand the underlying needs of people as well as the resources and constraints of the situation.
• The goal of learning through the PBL simulation is to understand how to apply the analytical principles that underlie effective change strategies.
With this point in mind, we would note that a central feature of the simulation is the interdependence of the activities that comprise a team’s strategy. Interdependence means that the success of certain activities in the simulation depends upon the completion of other prior activities. Again, as with the adopter type information,the decision rules are only discovered through the “experience” of playing the simulation. The interdependence of the activities requires the project team to develop a strategic sequence of activities that create a context that supports change in the organization. It causes the team to develop a dynamic view of the change process in which the context is constantly evolving over time. This facet of the simulation is supported both by practical experience as well as by change theories