A rail transport company has the worst on-time arrival record in the industry due to an antiquated IT system that controls scheduling.
Despite employee resistance, an initiative to upgrade the technology and related processes has been approved.
To maximize employee engagement throughout the project, which of the following should be in place prior to the start of the initiative?
Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer
A. B. C. D.C.
The correct answer to this question is C. Organizational change management plan.
Explanation: The given scenario highlights an initiative to upgrade an antiquated IT system controlling scheduling in a rail transport company, which is facing resistance from its employees. In such situations, an organizational change management plan is critical for the successful implementation of the project.
Organizational change management is a systematic approach to deal with changes in an organization, from planning and implementing to evaluating and sustaining the changes. The plan helps in preparing and supporting employees, stakeholders, and the organization as a whole, in the process of transitioning from the current state to the desired future state.
In the given scenario, the upgrade of the IT system and related processes would significantly impact the employees and their work processes. Therefore, an organizational change management plan would help the organization to:
Identify the impact of the change: A comprehensive change management plan identifies and assesses the potential impact of the change on employees, stakeholders, and the organization. This assessment enables the organization to anticipate and prepare for the challenges associated with the change, including employee resistance.
Communicate the change: An effective communication plan is a key element of organizational change management. It enables the organization to communicate the rationale, benefits, and impact of the change to employees and stakeholders, which helps in reducing resistance and building buy-in.
Involve employees in the change: Involving employees in the change management process fosters a sense of ownership, improves engagement, and reduces resistance. This involvement can include participation in planning and implementation, providing feedback, and addressing concerns and questions.
Provide training and support: The implementation of a new IT system and related processes would require employees to acquire new skills and knowledge. Therefore, an effective change management plan should include training and support to enable employees to adapt to the change.
In conclusion, an organizational change management plan is critical in ensuring employee engagement and successful implementation of the IT system upgrade and related processes. Therefore, option C, Organizational change management plan, is the correct answer.