OKR – Start off early with Organization Change Management and avoid this!

Why should you start off organization change management to avoid company-wide chaos when you roll out OKR or a new project that is a change in product and services?  Let’s explore in this article.    

Studies show that 79.7% of organizations need to update their business strategies every 2–5 years to stay competitive and adapt to change.

Start off your project with organization change management in mind to avoid company wide chaos.      

When executing a project or OKR, the project or OKR leads are often heads down focused on delivering the final product. While the focus is important, communicating the upcoming changes is important to avoid internal/ external chaos.   

For example, a recent telecom company that made a network change that was not properly planned, approved and communicated caused a country-wide outage, loss of revenue and customer confidence.   

What is Organization Change Management? 

Source | Organization Change Management

Organization Change Management (OCM) is the communication of changes in products or services delivered to internal or external customers as a result of the completion of a project.  

For example  

Change in customer offering like a cellphone package offering, and insurance policy changes.   

Internal operation procedure changes like changing a customer ordering app where the app menu and procedures to complete the order on the app will change.   

Why Change Management Is Important in OKR Implementation

Many companies focus on the technical side of OKRs, setting goals, tracking progress, and measuring results. However, ignoring the people affected by these changes can lead to problems like:

• Resistance to change: Employees may not understand why OKRs are being implemented and might not fully support them.
• Confusion and misalignment: Without clear communication, teams may work towards different goals, reducing efficiency.
• Lack of clarity: If changes are not explained well, employees may struggle to adapt, causing delays and mistakes.

A well-planned change management strategy makes sure everyone is informed, engaged, and ready for the transition.  

How to Introduce Organization Change Management for OKRs

Here are some best practices to ensure a smooth transition when rolling out OKRs or making big changes in your business:

Get Leadership Support: Leaders should be involved in the process and show their commitment. When managers support OKRs, employees are more likely to adopt them.

Create a Clear Communication Plan: Let employees know about upcoming changes early on. This includes:

• What’s changing and why – Explain how the changes will help the company and employees.
• Who it affects – Different teams may need different information.
• When and how it will happen – Keep updates frequent and transparent.

Provide Training and Support: Employees need the right tools and knowledge to succeed. Offer training sessions, Q&A meetings, and support materials to help them adapt.

Encourage Feedback and Adapt: Employees should have a way to share their thoughts and concerns. Regular feedback helps improve the process and keeps everyone involved.

Monitor and Adjust as Needed: Keep track of how the changes are working. If something isn’t going as planned, be open to adjustments.

What Happens If You Ignore Change Management?

Ignoring change management can lead to real problems. For example, a telecom company once made a major network update without proper communication. The result? A country-wide outage, lost revenue, and upset customers.

The lesson? Poorly managed change can hurt both employees and customers. But with the right strategy, companies can avoid confusion and create a smooth transition.

Conclusion

If your company is introducing OKRs or launching a major project, don’t overlook Organization Change Management. Taking a structured approach with leadership support, clear communication, and training can prevent chaos and make the process easier for everyone.

 In Conclusion 

1. Work with your project stakeholders, PR or organization change management department from the start of the project 
2. Create a communication plan 
3. Identify when, what message and what audience to communicate to 

Only by doing timeline communication, will you be able to avoid chaos