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Manage Change

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Museums, libraries and archives are constantly evolving. Successful change management strategies can ensure that the introduction of new policies and procedures happen with the minimum of upheaval.

To achieve this, it's vital that the staff with the knowledge to put the plans into practice believe that the change is important and worthwhile; to this end, they should be involved throughout the entire process, from the initial development discussions through to final implementation.

“When I talk to somebody experiencing problems implementing change, they have invariably failed to identify correctly the people who will make that change happen,” says Gael Dundas, Collections Care Manager at the Imperial War Museum in London. “If you want somebody to change what they're doing on a day-to-day basis for the good of the institution, they have to be on board and involved in the decision-making from day one. - Read the full article

Getting Started

Libraries, archives and museums can be complex organisations. They are governed by statute, legislation and best practice and they tend to employ significant numbers of committed and expert staff.

In this kind of environment, it is not sufficient simply to implement changes to practices and procedures. Changes have to be implemented effectively, with a clear sense of overall purpose and benefit so that they can contribute to the long-term preservation and interpretation of the collections.  

Peoples Network Change Management Toolkit

The Peoples Network Change Management Toolkit was developed to provide information and resources for public libraries implementing the PN infrastructure:

'This toolkit has been designed to support libraries as they grapple with the challenge of using the new infrastructure to develop their services. There is no single checklist, blueprint or strategy that will steer all libraries through this change process. Managing such a change is complex. The change process is too problematic and too dependent on local context to be captured in one model. This kit will provide ideas, insights, and lines of thought; tools to help you think through different approaches and to apply key principles to your own situation. It will support you as you work systematically through the elements in the process of change.'

MLA website April 2006

Although written specifically for th public library context, the Change Management Toolkit includes valuable tools for any organisation planning or undergoing change. These include:

  • Guidance on considering the implications of organisational change
  • Information on prioritising change management
  • Phases of implementing change

BusinessLink Guidance on Reorganisations, Restructures and Other Major Changes

The following Guide is reproduced with kind permission of BusinessLink

The contents of the Guide are governed by Crown Copyright

When your business reaches a new stage in its development, you may need to change the way it is organised. For example, as you come to the end of the start-up phase and focus on developing the business, you may need to create a formal structure so that the business is better positioned to achieve its objectives.

In a start-up, staff numbers tend to be limited so employees take on multiple roles. As the business and workload grows, it makes sense for employees to focus on what they do best. Many entrepreneurs choose to bring aboard professional finance and sales and marketing personnel, for example. Introducing a solid organisational structure will help you stay in the driving seat while your business expands.

This guide examines why businesses decide to restructure and considers the implications of such change. It offers advice on how planning, training and communication can ease the process.

© All material on Collections Link, copyright MDA and other National Organisations 2006, all rights reserved