The Change Equation
Most projects don't fail on delivery.
They fail to realise the benefits.
Score your project on the three drivers for change against the Cost of Change. The operand is ×, not +: take any one driver out and the equation collapses. You get the balance of the equation, the weak driver, and the book's techniques for strengthening it.
The equation
Vision × First steps × Dissatisfaction > Cost of Change
“Any project needs a shared vision to ensure everyone is moving in the same, new, direction.” It is not the starting point — it emerges from the analysis of the problem, and it acts as the reference framework for the transformation.
Vision alone dissipates as people return to their day-to-day problems, because it places no focus on the practical steps. “Only at this level of practicality can we engage people and gain some degree of commitment.”
“It’s only when people have convinced themselves that things are NOT okay and that there is a need to do something about it NOW, that new ways of thinking can be introduced.” The energy for change comes from the person making the change, so they must tell you why things have to change.
C — Cost of Change sits on the right hand side: the fear, inertia, expense and distraction — the boulders you have to push up the hill. Adapted by Peter Duschinsky from David Gleicher's original equation, and the starting point for the INPACT approach.
Your assessments
It's people, not systems
Unless the people using the new system or process shape the change, the project will not realise the anticipated benefits.
Test whether the vision is shared
Ask each stakeholder what the project is for, what it will achieve and who is responsible. The spread in their answers predicts your problems.
Re-score as you act
Strengthen a driver, lower the Cost of Change, and watch the balance of the equation move.