Change Management
Objectives, Methodology & Skills
Objectives of the Change Management Unit
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Create awareness of new initiatives within the organisation
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Promote a general understanding of the initiatives through communication and engagement
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Generate a personal understanding of the initiatives through training and policy
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Encourage buy-in and ownership
Change Management meets these objectives by:-
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Promoting sponsorship and leadership for the projects amongst senior Garda Management
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Involving key stakeholders at every stage, and effectively managing resistance
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Extensive and targeted communications at all stages of the project
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Providing ongoing support after implementation
Methodology
The Unit applies a best practice project management approach to projects within An Garda Síochána. It uses a structured methodology that includes the following elements:-
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Critical thinking
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Process analysis
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Stakeholder analysis
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Communications
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Training
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Process re-design
Skills in the Unit
In addition to having a broad knowledge of operational policing and the criminal justice sector, staff members have developed a wide range of skills through formal training and on-the-job expertise.
Some of the skill sets in the Unit include:-
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Project Management
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System Analysis
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Process Analysis
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Process Design and Re-Design
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Communications
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Marketing
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Change Resistance Management skills
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Management Support skills
Many staff members are third level graduates with qualifications at Higher Degree Levels e.g. Masters (MA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Personnel undergo continuous upskilling, including drawing from external expertise. Part of their brief is to then diffuse this expertise to other sections. In doing so, they improve the organisation’s flexibility, adaptability and ability to fulfil its mission and achieve its goals.
Embracing and managing change requires vision, commitment, risk taking, management skills, diplomacy and courage. Initiating change is a complex process that requires the necessary framework, tools and techniques to lead the organisation through the change journey.