By Mat Roosa, LCSW-R, NIATx Coach
The NIATx model is designed to help teams identify and implement a process improvement. While adopting a change is a significant accomplishment, the true test lies in maintaining that change and its positive outcomes over the long term: sustaining the change.
Sustainability refers to the
ability to stick with the new way of doing things and continue reaping the
benefits that prompted the change initially. It involves integrating the new
methods into the organizational culture, ensuring stability amidst future
changes, and fostering adaptability to unforeseen circumstances.
Despite its importance,
sustaining change is no easy feat. Many change efforts fail to be sustained
beyond the initial six months. To counter this trend, proactive planning and
diligent effort are essential. Sustainability planning should commence early in
the change project, aligning with the principles of continuous improvement.
Here's a trio of strategies that change teams can use to
guarantee lasting improvements:
It is difficult to think about the future when you are in the midst of trying something new. One of the best ways to develop a change project with sustainment in mind is to assign a member of the change team to the role of sustain leader. This individual will support the key efforts to sustain the change, including developing policies and procedures and maintaining ongoing measurement, both discussed below. When the rest of the team turns their attention to new priorities, the sustain leader will keep the change effort on course.
2. Document the change in policy and procedure manuals, ensuring simplicity and clarity.
A clear
indication that a successful change is at risk of not being sustained is to
hear the Change Leader saying, “Don’t forget to continue to…”. Such reminders
are never needed for activities that are well-established as standard operating
procedures. Adjustments to documentation processes, including adding required
elements and checklists, make the new practice a required element that cannot
be skipped. Maintaining an up-to-date policies and procedures manual to actively
guide practice will ensure that the new practice becomes the norm.
3. Establish data collection methods to monitor progress continuously.
One of the
best ways to sustain a change is to keep measuring it. We tend to pay attention
to the things that we measure. When change projects achieve the desired goal,
there is a tendency to stop measuring and move on to new priorities. When
measurement is continued weekly, or at least monthly, the team can take
preventive action when the numbers start to slip.
This data monitoring can trigger
the reactivation of the change team. Ongoing measurement also points to the
need for manageable measures that are easy to maintain and review. Complex data
measures that require a high level of energy to maintain are less likely to be
sustained.
By embracing sustainability from the outset, organizations
can pave the way for enduring positive change and continuous improvement in
their operations.
Ready to launch a NIATx Change Project? Join
our next NIATx Virtual Change Leader Academy in May 2024!
