Fearless Change: Patterns For Introducing New Ideas

Description:
'All that have ever tried to impose change in their organization will immediately recognize and truly value the in-depth knowledge and experience captured in this book. It contains a collection of eye-openers that is a treasure chest for pioneers of new organizational ideas, A fantastic toolbox for use in future missions!' --Lise B. Hvatum, product development manager, Schlumberger 'If you have need of changing your organization, and especially of introducing new techniques, then you want to understand what is in this book. It will help you avoid common pitfalls that doom many such projects and will show you a clear path to success. The techniques are derived from the experience of many individuals and organizations. Many are also fun to apply. This stuff is really cool--and really hot.' --Joseph Bergin, professor of computer science, Pace University, New York 'If change is the only guarantee in life, why is it so hard to do? As this book points out, people are not so much resistant to change itself as they are to being changed. Mary Lynn and Linda have successfully used the pattern form to capture and present the recurring lessons of successful change efforts and have placed a powerful knowledge resource in the hands of their readers.' --Alan O'Callaghan, researcher, Software Technology Research Laboratory, De Montfort University, United Kingdom 'The most difficult part of absorbing patterns, or any technology, into an organization is overcoming the people issues. The patterns in this book are the documentation of having gone through that experience, giving those that dare push the envelope a head start at success.'--David E. DeLano, IBM Pervasive Computing 'If you have ever wondered how you could possibly foster any cultural changes in your organization, in this book you will find a lot of concrete advice for doing so. I recommend that everyone read this book who has a vast interest in keeping his or her organization flexible and open for cultural change.' --Jutta Eckstein, Independent Consultant, Objects In Action Author of Agile Software Development in the Large 48 Patterns for Driving and Sustaining Change in Your Organization Change. It's brutally tough to initiate, even harder to sustain. It takes too long. People resist it. But without it, organizations lose their competitive edge. Fortunately, you can succeed at making change. In Fearless Change, Mary Lynn Manns and Linda Rising illuminate 48 proven techniques, or patterns, for implementing change in organizations or teams of all sizes, and show you exactly how to use them successfully. Find out how to * Understand the forces in your organization that drive and retard change * Plant the seeds of change * Drive participation and buy-in, from start to finish * Choose an 'official skeptic' to sharpen your thinking * Make your changes appear less threatening * Find the right timing and the best teaching moments * Sustain your momentum * Overcome adversity and celebrate success Inspired by the 'pattern languages' that are transforming fields from software to architecture, the authors illuminate patterns for every stage of the change process: knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation. These flexible patterns draw on the experiences of hundreds of leaders. They offer powerful insight into change-agent behavior, organizational culture, and the roles of every participant. Best of all, they're easy to use--and they work!

Table of Contents:
Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgments. I. OVERVIEW. 1. Organizations and Change. The Change Agent. The Culture. The People. 2. Strategies or Patterns. Pattern Formats. Using Patterns. 3. Where Do I Start? Evangelism Is Critical for Success. A Small Package of Patterns. 4. What Do I Do Next? Target Groups to Ask for Help. It's Important to Say 'Thanks'. 5. Meetings and More. Let's Meet! Using Information That's Out There. Stay Connected. 6. Take Action! Other Ways to Learn. 7. It's All About People. What's in It for the Organization? You Have Feelings, Too! 8. A New Role: Now You're Dedicated! You Have Convinced Them--You Are a Dedicated Champion. 9. Convince the Masses. Enlist Gurus and Famous People. 10. More Influence Strategies. Keep Things Visible. It's Just a Token. Location Also Counts. Things Are Humming. 11. Keep It Going. Be Proactive! 12. Dealing with Resistance. Build Bridges. A Champion Skeptic. It's All About Politics. II. EXPERIENCES. Multiple Sclerosis Society Experience Report. UNCA Experience Report. Sun Core J2EE Patterns Experience Report. Customer Training Experience Report. III. THE PATTERNS. Ask for Help. Big Jolt. Bridge-Builder. Brown Bag. Champion Skeptic. Connector. Corporate Angel. Corridor Politics. Dedicated Champion. Do Food. e-Forum. Early Adopter. Early Majority. Evangelist. External Validation. Fear Less. Group Identity. Guru on Your Side. Guru Review. Hometown Story. In Your Space. Innovator. Involve Everyone. Just Do It. Just Enough. Just Say Thanks. Local Sponsor. Location, Location, Location. Mentor. Next Steps. Personal Touch. Piggyback. Plant the Seeds. The Right Time. Royal Audience. Shoulder to Cry On. Small Successes. Smell of Success. Stay in Touch. Step by Step. Study Group. Sustained Momentum. Tailor Made. Test the Waters. Time for Reflection. Token. Trial Run. Whisper in the General's Ear. External Pattern References. Appendix. References. Index.

Author Biography:
Mary Lynn Manns, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Management and Accountancy at the University of North Carolina, Asheville. Her doctoral work focused on the introduction of patterns into organizations. She is well known for her many presentations on this topic. Linda Rising, Ph.D., is well known throughout the patterns community as the editor of Design Patterns in Communications Software (Cambridge University Press, 2001) and The Patterns Handbook (Cambridge University Press, 1997). Now an independent consultant, she helped lead the introduction of patterns into AG Communication Systems in Phoenix, Arizona. Linda has worked in the telecommunications, avionics, and strategic weapons industries, and has extensive training and university teaching experience. She holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University.