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Importance of change management

Short answer

Change management reduces resistance, improves adoption, and minimises disruption by addressing people‑side risks. Tactics include visible top‑management support, open communication, user participation, hands‑on training, incentives, negotiation, phased rollout, and monitoring with a dedicated change team.

Why do you think change management is important during IS implementation? What are different change management tactics that is to be applied during execution of change management?

Importance of change management in IS implementation

Change management is the planned approach of preparing, supporting and helping people, processes and the organisation to move from the old way of working to the new system. A new information system changes jobs, procedures and power relations, so technical success alone is not enough.

  • Reduces resistance: staff fear job loss, extra work or having to learn new skills; managing change builds acceptance.
  • Improves adoption: users actually use the system as intended, which delivers the benefits.
  • Reduces risk of failure: many IS projects fail due to people issues, not technology.
  • Minimises disruption: smooth transition, less downtime and fewer errors.
  • Aligns with business goals and protects the investment.
  • Controls scope: changes in requirements are approved, recorded and tested.
  • Improves communication and morale.

Change management tactics

TacticMeaning / example
Top management supportVisible sponsorship and a clear vision
CommunicationExplain why, what and when; regular updates
User participationInvolve users in requirements, design and testing
Education and trainingHands-on training, manuals, super users
Incentives and rewardsRecognise those who adopt the system
Negotiation and agreementAddress concerns of resisting groups
Facilitation and supportHelp desk and on-site support after go-live
Phased implementation / pilotStart small, then expand
Manipulation or co-optionGive key resisters a visible role in leading the change, or present information selectively (use carefully)
CoercionLast resort, using authority or policy
Change team and monitoringTrack progress and handle feedback

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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