How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Institutionalization

Disciplines > Change Management > Creating Change > Institutionalization

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Make changes stick by building them into the formal fabric of the organization, for example:

Make them an organizational standard, building them into the systems of standards.
Put them or aspects of them into the primary strategic plan.
Build them into people personal objectives.
Ensure people are assessed against them in personal reviews.

Example

An R&D organization creates a review process to be implemented before products are released to manufacturing. They put the process into their ISO9000 system, which ensures it goes through the organizational audit system and any non-conformances will be identified.

Discussion

The formal systems and structures within the organization are those which are not optional. People do them because they are 'business as usual' and because they will be criticized or otherwise punished if they fail to do them.

After a while, institutionalized items become so entrenched, people forget to resist and just do what is required, even if they do not agree with them.