A Change Manager's First 90 Days: Setting up for success

Following on from your first day in a new role as a Change Manager, the following 90 days are critical.

This is your opportunity to learn the organisation's culture, build relationships, and demonstrate your value.

In this blog we offer a structured approach to onboarding and achieving early wins to set you up for long-term success.

Start by planning the phases

First 30 days: Learning

The first 30 days in your new Change Manager role are all about laying the groundwork for future success. This initial period is crucial for absorbing information, building connections, and identifying opportunities to make a real difference. Think of it as a "discovery phase" where you're immersing yourself in the organisation's ecosystem. Here's a breakdown of key areas to focus on during your first month:

• Deep Dive:  Focus on understanding the organisation's structure, culture, and key stakeholders.

  
  

• Information Gathering:  Review existing documentation, attend meetings, and conduct informational interviews.

  
  

• Relationship Building:  Connect with your team, manager, and key stakeholders across the organisation.

  
  

• Identify Quick Wins:  Look for opportunities to make a positive impact quickly.

Next 30 Days: Contributing

You've now spent a month absorbing information, building initial connections, and identifying some quick wins. It might be tempting to dive headfirst into large-scale change initiatives, eager to prove your value.

However, the second month is about strategically building on that foundation. While demonstrating action is important, it's equally crucial to show that you've listened, learned, and are developing a well-informed approach. This phase is about moving from observation to strategic action, carefully planning initiatives, or implementing initial activities and continuing to build your network and gather feedback. Here's what to focus on:

• Develop a Plan:  Based on your initial assessments, start building a more detailed change management plan.

  
  

• Implement Initiatives:  When it's time for implementing, begin with small-scale change initiatives to test your approach and build momentum.

  
  

• Seek Feedback:  Regularly check in and solicit feedback from your manager and stakeholders on your progress.

  
  

• Build Your Network:  Expand your network by connecting with people in different departments and levels of the organisation.

  
  

Following 30 Days: Leading

By the third month, you've gained valuable insights into the organisation, built key relationships, and successfully implemented some initial projects. Now it's time to focus on your leadership capabilities. This phase is about taking ownership of more complex situations, thinking about measuring the impact of your work, and using a plan-do-check-act approach to refine your strategies for long-term success. You're moving from contributing to stepping in and owning your change management role. This sets the stage for sustained change and impact. Here's how to focus your efforts in this phase:

• Lead Larger Activities:  Take on more complex change activities or projects and demonstrate your leadership skills.

  
  

• Measure Results:  Track your progress and measure the impact of your change initiatives.

  
  

• Refine Your Approach:  Based on your experiences and feedback, refine your change management approach.

  
  

• Set Long-Term Goals:  Define your long-term goals and develop a plan for achieving them.

Ensure you're Building the Right Toolkit

Effective change management goes beyond theory and good intentions; it requires a practical toolkit to translate strategy into action. A well-developed toolkit provides the essential resources, templates, and frameworks that change managers need to navigate the complexities of organisational transformation. 

From stakeholder analysis templates and communication plans to risk assessment matrices and training materials, a collection of practical tools empowers change managers to standardise processes, ensure consistency, and ultimately drive quality outcomes. A change manager needs a comprehensive toolkit to construct lasting and positive change within an organisation. Your toolkit should be a living collection, constantly evolving and adapting to the specific needs of each change initiative, ensuring that best practices are readily available and consistently applied.

Agencia Change understands this need and offers a comprehensive toolkit in change management designed to equip professionals with the resources they need. This toolkit covers critical areas such as communication, understanding stakeholder needs, and analysis, providing templates, guidance, and analysis tools to support every stage of the end-to-end change process.

Key Considerations During a Change Manager's First 90 Days

Beyond the structured approach of learning, contributing, and leading, several key considerations will influence your success during these crucial first 90 days. These elements are less about specific tasks and more about your overall approach and well-being, forming the foundation upon which successful change initiatives are built. Balancing these considerations will allow you to not only achieve your goals but also shine in a Change Manager role.

• Communication:  Communicate regularly with your manager and stakeholders about your progress and challenges.

  
  

• Prioritisation:  Focus on the most important tasks and avoid getting bogged down in less critical activities.

  
  

• Flexibility:  Be prepared to adapt your plans as needed. The change landscape is constantly evolving.

  
  

• Self-Care:  Take care of yourself and avoid burnout. The first 90 days can be demanding.

  
  

By following a structured approach and focusing on learning, contributing, and leading, you can maximise your impact in the first 90 days and set the stage for a successful career as a Change Manager. For professional coaching support, improving skills and collating toolkit, Agencia Change is here. Book in a free 15 minute introduction to discuss your role, and find out how we can help.

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