Question: Change Management for ERP System Project

You are a member of the human resources organization of a midsized manufacturing company that is implementing a new enterprise resource planning system that will have a major impact on the way some 50 members of the company perform their jobs. In addition, many other employees will need to be retrained on how to obtain the management reports and perform the data analysis they need for decision making.

Review Questions

1. How could Lewin's force field analysis be applied to this project?

2. How might the diffusion of innovation theory be applied to this project?

Critical Thinking Questions

1. You have been asked by the human resources department manager to assess the project plans to prepare the business users for the major changes to come. How might you proceed to make this assessment in a manner that will build rapport and trust with the project manager?

2. Imagine that your assessment shows that no plans have been developed to prepare the business users for the major changes to come other than training them a few weeks before the system is to be implemented. What suggestions would you make?