Mapping impacts of the project on key audiences
Use this template for mapping the impacts of a project or initiative on key audiences to guide you in the change planning process.
A change impact assessment is most commonly started at project initiation. It provides key stakeholders and decision-makers with a view of the degree of the impacts. By using this template, you’ll gain a better understanding of the potential effects of implementing changes. This could be how it affects your team's workload, organizational processes, or overall customer experience. Through this assessment, you’ll be able to evaluate factors such as scope, resources, and bandwidth to inform decision-making and minimize risks.
To get the most out of the change impact assessment template, follow the steps outlined below.
The first step is to list out all of the stakeholder teams or roles that would be affected by the change. If you have an organizational chart for your company, it would be beneficial to refer to it during this step to identify impacted audiences. Once you have everyone identified, group them by department, area, or function if it helps organize your list.
Next, review the existing change dimensions on the template. Our template includes common change dimensions that companies often use to evaluate impact, such as:
However, every company is different, and you might have additional change dimensions that aren't listed but would be helpful to add to the template.
In this step, identify which change dimension impacts each group as well as the relative complexity. Add a colored sticky note based on the change complexity and a short description of the impact on each group. Our template has three colored sticky notes to represent a complexity rating scale:
In the final step, review and confirm the accuracy of the impact and complexity ratings with relevant stakeholders. If you initially ran this assessment without everyone involved, it’s important to get their input before moving forward. They'll be able to provide more in-depth detail on the impact of the change as well as more accurate language that resonates with their area.
An example of a change impact could be the implementation of a new software system in an organization. This change can impact various aspects such as employee roles and responsibilities, workflows, communication channels, and training requirements.
A change impact assessment is a systematic process that helps organizations understand the potential effects of a proposed change. It involves evaluating the impact of the change on different aspects of the organization, identifying potential risks and challenges, and developing strategies to mitigate them. A change impact assessment typically includes:
Stakeholder analysis
Identifying and analyzing the individuals or groups who'll be affected by the change.
Impact identification
Identifying the specific areas or aspects of the organization that the change will impact.
Impact assessment
Assessing the magnitude and significance of the impact on each identified aspect.
Risk analysis
Identifying potential risks and challenges associated with the change and evaluating their potential impact.
Mitigation strategies
Developing strategies to minimize or mitigate the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts of the change.
Communication plan
Developing a plan to effectively communicate the change and its impact to stakeholders.
Training and support plan
Identifying the training and support needs of employees to adapt to the change successfully.
Timeline and resource planning
Planning the timeline and allocating necessary resources for implementing the change.
Monitoring and evaluation
Establishing mechanisms to monitor the progress of the change and evaluate its effectiveness.
Documentation
Documenting the findings, decisions, and actions taken during the change impact assessment process.
The specific aspects of change impact can vary depending on the nature of the change and the organization. However, here are 10 common aspects that are often considered during a change impact assessment:
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