Utilities modernizing their operations are faced with the need to complete significant technical, operational, and structural changes. Staff hesitance to organizational change can negatively impact the effectiveness of these projects and their staying power after completion. Change management frameworks, popular within the private sector, offer a managerial approach to supporting personnel through these change projects. Frameworks for organizational change management increase employee buy-in, help foster trust between operational and managerial staff, and improve communication. With a systematic approach to building consensus and enthusiasm for changes, projects are completed on schedule, systems are properly implemented, and initiatives are sustained after project completion. By formalizing their approach to change, utilities can focus less on personnel management and more on providing critical services to communities.
Bluefield water experts presented at the New England Water Environment Association’s annual conference in May. This presentation discusses approaches to and challenges with change management at water utilities collected through research and includes takeaways from interviews with utilities conducted through organization change research done in collaboration with Stantec.
