2.3. Understand the importance of change management
What is this?
The EnMS is typically a new approach to management in most organisations. It requires openness to change in working and management practices. These changes do not require compromise of existing production, quality, safety, comfort, etc. On the contrary it typically results in improvements in these areas also. It requires that you open your mind to ways of looking at energy and energy consumption. The organization has to be ready to challenge how they manage energy and start answering simple questions like:
Why is this operating like this?
Why is this happening?
Should it be like this just because it has always been like this?
This process of challenging established work practices is a major source of energy saving opportunities in most organisations. These saving opportunities are typically related to operation and maintenance of existing equipment and systems.
How to implement
The organization will need:
To communicate about the benefits of saving energy to all employees. Good communication and involvement are key factors in managing change effectively.
Time and human resources to carry out their roles in the EnMS. This doesn’t typically require hiring new people but involving the current employees in the organization in this work. Once the EnMS is operating it will not normally require additional resources. It usually makes current roles more clear and systematic and thus more effective.
Additional tasks and work are usually needed during the initial months of setting up the system.
To understand the impact of energy consumption in its operations.
To be open to change in its operations and practices.
To be willing to challenge established work practices.
To be willing to tackle resistance to change.
To communicate energy performance regularly to continue involving people and increasing interest.
There are many academic models and theories related to change management. They include the Kurt Lewin 3-stage model of change and Kotter’s 8-step process. Additional information on both can be found using online searches. Care is needed in using them in that both involve changing human behaviour. It is advisable to involve someone on the team with experience or expertise in this field. The forcefield analysis described in Step 1 of this eGuide is also useful in analysing the organisation prior to implementing change.
What is this?
The EnMS is typically a new approach to management in most organisations. It requires openness to change in working and management practices. These changes do not require compromise of existing production, quality, safety, comfort, etc. On the contrary it typically results in improvements in these areas also. It requires that you open your mind to ways of looking at energy and energy consumption. The organization has to be ready to challenge how they manage energy and start answering simple questions like:
This process of challenging established work practices is a major source of energy saving opportunities in most organisations. These saving opportunities are typically related to operation and maintenance of existing equipment and systems.
How to implement
The organization will need:
There are many academic models and theories related to change management. They include the Kurt Lewin 3-stage model of change and Kotter’s 8-step process. Additional information on both can be found using online searches. Care is needed in using them in that both involve changing human behaviour. It is advisable to involve someone on the team with experience or expertise in this field. The forcefield analysis described in Step 1 of this eGuide is also useful in analysing the organisation prior to implementing change.