Machine

Senior managers define targets and timescale. Consultants advise on techniques. Change programme is rolled out from the top down. Training is given to bridge behaviour gap.

Senior management

Change must be driven. Resistance can be managed. Targets set at the start of the process define the direction.

Political system

A powerful group of individuals builds a new coalition with new guiding principles. There are debates, manoeuverings and negotiations which eventually leads to the new coalition either winning or losing.

Change then ensues as new people are in power with new views and new ways of allocating scarce resources. Those around them position themselves to be winners rather than losers.

Those with power

There will be winners and losers. Change requires new coalitions and new negotiations.

Organisms

There is first a research phase where data is gathered on the relevant issue (customer feedback, employee survey etc). Next the data is presented to those responsible for making changes. There is discussion about what the data means, and then wh A solution is collaboratively designed and moved towards, with maximum participation. Training and support are given to those who need to make significant changes.

Business improvement/HR/OD managers

There must be participation and involvement, and an awareness of the need for change.

The change is collaboratively designed as a response to changes in the environment. People need to be supported through change.

Flux and transformation

The initial spark of change is an emerging topic. This is a topic that is starting to appear on everyone’s agenda, or is being talked about over coffee. Someone with authority takes the initiative to create a discussion forum. The discussion is initially fairly unstructured, but well facilitated. Questions asked might be ‘Why have you come?’, ‘What is the real issue?’, ‘How would we like things to be?’ The discussion involves anyone who has the energy to be interested.

A plan for how to handle the issue emerges from a series of discussions. More people are brought into the net.

Someone with authority to act

Change cannot be managed; it emerges.

Conflict and tension give rise to change.

Managers are part of the process. Their job is to highlight gaps and contradictions.

Gareth Morgan’s metaphors used with permission of Sage Publications Inc.