Guest post from RADM Ronald Hewitt, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources (CG-1):
Guardians,
In a recent post I talked about good communication as one of the critical success factors to implement change. As announced in ALCOAST 066/10, the Coast Guard has adopted a Change Management methodology. The first tenet of this methodology is Awareness. While communication, in and of itself, does not always produce awareness, it is the first step to enable change. Like any communication effort, to build awareness for change, there are questions that need to be answered:
Why are we changing?
What happens if we don't change?
How does the change impact our organization?
What is the nature of the change?
How does the change align with the vision for the organization?
Whom will the change affect?
What's in it for me (WIIFM)?
Where and when will these changes occur?
By adopting a Change Management methodology, interlaced with a solid project management plan, awareness will be a key aspect to consider in measuring project success.
For more information about Change Management, I invite you to read Ms. Claudia Isaacoff's post on the DCMS log and take advantage of the Change Management (CM) tools available to you on CG Portal.
Thank you for your receptiveness to change. Together we will make a better Coast Guard.
Semper Paratus!
RADM Ron Hewitt
Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
