Description
Do this assignment based on the Additional materials
This assignment tasks you with creating a change document. While there is no formal method for creating one, they are an absolute necessity, as change is something people tend to vigorously resist. The document is used to allay fears or concerns, rationally explain the need for change, describe what the nature of the change will be, and illustrate how that change will make things better.
What you will need to do (as per the video / associated slide):
Identify the change you would like people to make, and a little hint as to why it will be better, which is normally to meet some goal and do so ‘better’:
With this, you simply need to explain what the change will be. “We will be changing from paper-based ledgers to Excel spreadsheets. This will allow real-time results, introduce collaborative opportunities, and provide transparency.”
Provide three alternatives, one of which is your solution and one of which is doing nothing (or not changing), and at least three pros and cons for each (bullets are fine). Don’t give away which is your solution yet! Just include it as one of the three alternatives.
Your solution doesn’t require a lot of detail here as that will come later. Doing nothing requires a little more, and usually covers sticking with the way things are and why that’s not ideal. The third alternative is tougher, because it could be anything: It could be not fully implementing your solution, and what the benefits and drawbacks of that might be, or it could be using an alternative or competing process / product / platform and why that is also not an ideal solution. There are many options here.
Indicate your choice.
Then, explain why it’s your choice in comparison to the other alternatives. You must be able to justify it based on the reason for the change in the first place. How will it help you reach the goals and ideals as indicated in step 1? This is ultimately a compare and contrast step.
There are many ways to do this: You could list each alternative as a header and use the paragraph underneath to compare your choice to each alternative in its own paragraph, and formal change documents often do that. For this assignment, you can make all comparisons in a single paragraph or two, that’s fine also.
Offer an encouraging closer.
Don’t end with ‘Change or be left behind forever!’ Close with acknowledging change can be difficult, but it’s for the better in the long term, better for everyone, and better than the alternatives.
