And similar terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These terms all have precise meanings \u2013 but unfortunately, the meaning can vary depending on who you ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are no \u201cglobally recognized\u201d definitions for these terms, in other words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To truly understand the concepts, therefore, we should look to industry leaders and professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Organizational Change Definition by Authors vs. Dictionary Definitions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDictionaries, websites, and articles explain organizational change in a few ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- \u201cCompany or organization going through a transformation. <\/em>Organization change<\/em><\/a> occurs when business strategies or major sections of an organization are altered. Also known as reorganization, restructuring and turnaround.<\/em>\u201d \u2013BusinessDictionary.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cA process in which a large company or organization changes its working methods or aims, for example in order to develop and deal with new situations or markets.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Cambridge Dictionary<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cOrganizational change occurs when a company makes a transition from its current state to some desired future state.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Inc.com<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These definitions seem to agree with one another, for the most part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This overlap may offer some insight as to why so few authors go out of their way to offer \u201cdictionary definitions\u201d of organizational change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all, when everyone agrees on a definition, there is no need to offer an alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, things change when we begin discussing organizational change management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Change management \u2013 also known as organizational change management (OCM) \u2013 is a business discipline dedicated to managing organizational changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to this term, there is more disagreement over the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dictionary Definitions of Change Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to change management, definitions are slightly more nuanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To start with, let\u2019s see how dictionaries define change management<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- \u201cThe process of organizing change in a large organization in an effective way<\/em>\u201d \u2013Cambridge Dictionary<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cManaging organizational change is the process of planning and implementing change in organizations in such a way as to minimize <\/em>employee resistance<\/em><\/a> and cost to the organization while simultaneously maximizing the effectiveness of the change effort.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Inc.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cChange management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare, support, and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Wikipedia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cMinimizing resistance to organizational change through involvement of key players and stakeholders.<\/em>\u201d \u2013BusinessDictionary.com<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
However, these definitions are short and unsourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And \u2013 in the case of the last definition particularly \u2013 we could argue that these definitions are hardly complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So instead of relying on dictionaries for our definitions, we should look to industry authorities, authors, and thought leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organizational Change Management Definitions, by Authors and Industry Leaders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHere are some change management definitions that offer more depth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Prosci\u2019s definition<\/a>: \u201cThe process, tools, and techniques to manage the people side of change to achieve a required business outcome.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- According to John Kotter\u2019s consultancy<\/a>, change management: \u201cRefers to a set of basic tools or structures intended to keep any change effort under control. The goal is often to minimize the distractions and impacts of the change.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ACMP<\/a>, the Association of Change Management Professionals, defines it this way: \u201cThe practice of applying a structured approach to transition an organization from a current state to a future state to achieve expected benefits.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Robert Schaffer<\/a> points out that management and change management are strikingly similar: \u201cWhen you think about it, all management is the management of change \u2026 the job of management always involves defining what changes need to be made and seeing that those changes take place.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- According to a paper by Markus Wanner<\/a>: \u201cChange management is an organized, systematic application of the knowledge, tools, and resources of change that provides organizations with a key process to achieve their business strategy.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Despite the nuanced differences above, we can see here that there is still a great deal of overlap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when it comes down to it \u2013 what\u2019s the significance of these different definitions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Do These Definitions Matter for Your Business?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe most basic reason to have a definition is obvious \u2013 to understand the meaning of a term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, when different definitions are applied to the same term, each definition carries a different meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For business professionals, these subtle differences can make big differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine that a company is hiring a change management consultancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That consultancy\u2019s definition of these key concepts would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"That](\"https:\/\/www.walkme.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/That-consultancys-definition-of-these-key-concepts-would__66698b1c.jpg?w=1024&h=474&crop=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n- Determine the scope of the consultancy\u2019s services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How the firm viewed organizational change, change management, and their role in the change project<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Offer insight into how they approached organizational change management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Two completely different agencies may have completely different approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These definitions seem to agree with one another, for the most part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This overlap may offer some insight as to why so few authors go out of their way to offer \u201cdictionary definitions\u201d of organizational change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all, when everyone agrees on a definition, there is no need to offer an alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, things change when we begin discussing organizational change management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Change management \u2013 also known as organizational change management (OCM) \u2013 is a business discipline dedicated to managing organizational changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to this term, there is more disagreement over the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dictionary Definitions of Change Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to change management, definitions are slightly more nuanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To start with, let\u2019s see how dictionaries define change management<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- \u201cThe process of organizing change in a large organization in an effective way<\/em>\u201d \u2013Cambridge Dictionary<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cManaging organizational change is the process of planning and implementing change in organizations in such a way as to minimize <\/em>employee resistance<\/em><\/a> and cost to the organization while simultaneously maximizing the effectiveness of the change effort.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Inc.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cChange management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare, support, and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Wikipedia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cMinimizing resistance to organizational change through involvement of key players and stakeholders.<\/em>\u201d \u2013BusinessDictionary.com<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
However, these definitions are short and unsourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And \u2013 in the case of the last definition particularly \u2013 we could argue that these definitions are hardly complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So instead of relying on dictionaries for our definitions, we should look to industry authorities, authors, and thought leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organizational Change Management Definitions, by Authors and Industry Leaders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHere are some change management definitions that offer more depth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Prosci\u2019s definition<\/a>: \u201cThe process, tools, and techniques to manage the people side of change to achieve a required business outcome.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- According to John Kotter\u2019s consultancy<\/a>, change management: \u201cRefers to a set of basic tools or structures intended to keep any change effort under control. The goal is often to minimize the distractions and impacts of the change.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ACMP<\/a>, the Association of Change Management Professionals, defines it this way: \u201cThe practice of applying a structured approach to transition an organization from a current state to a future state to achieve expected benefits.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Robert Schaffer<\/a> points out that management and change management are strikingly similar: \u201cWhen you think about it, all management is the management of change \u2026 the job of management always involves defining what changes need to be made and seeing that those changes take place.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- According to a paper by Markus Wanner<\/a>: \u201cChange management is an organized, systematic application of the knowledge, tools, and resources of change that provides organizations with a key process to achieve their business strategy.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Despite the nuanced differences above, we can see here that there is still a great deal of overlap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when it comes down to it \u2013 what\u2019s the significance of these different definitions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Do These Definitions Matter for Your Business?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe most basic reason to have a definition is obvious \u2013 to understand the meaning of a term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, when different definitions are applied to the same term, each definition carries a different meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For business professionals, these subtle differences can make big differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine that a company is hiring a change management consultancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That consultancy\u2019s definition of these key concepts would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n- Determine the scope of the consultancy\u2019s services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How the firm viewed organizational change, change management, and their role in the change project<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Offer insight into how they approached organizational change management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Two completely different agencies may have completely different approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- \u201cThe process of organizing change in a large organization in an effective way<\/em>\u201d \u2013Cambridge Dictionary<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cManaging organizational change is the process of planning and implementing change in organizations in such a way as to minimize <\/em>employee resistance<\/em><\/a> and cost to the organization while simultaneously maximizing the effectiveness of the change effort.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Inc.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cChange management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare, support, and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Wikipedia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cMinimizing resistance to organizational change through involvement of key players and stakeholders.<\/em>\u201d \u2013BusinessDictionary.com<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
However, these definitions are short and unsourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And \u2013 in the case of the last definition particularly \u2013 we could argue that these definitions are hardly complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So instead of relying on dictionaries for our definitions, we should look to industry authorities, authors, and thought leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organizational Change Management Definitions, by Authors and Industry Leaders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here are some change management definitions that offer more depth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Prosci\u2019s definition<\/a>: \u201cThe process, tools, and techniques to manage the people side of change to achieve a required business outcome.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- According to John Kotter\u2019s consultancy<\/a>, change management: \u201cRefers to a set of basic tools or structures intended to keep any change effort under control. The goal is often to minimize the distractions and impacts of the change.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ACMP<\/a>, the Association of Change Management Professionals, defines it this way: \u201cThe practice of applying a structured approach to transition an organization from a current state to a future state to achieve expected benefits.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Robert Schaffer<\/a> points out that management and change management are strikingly similar: \u201cWhen you think about it, all management is the management of change \u2026 the job of management always involves defining what changes need to be made and seeing that those changes take place.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- According to a paper by Markus Wanner<\/a>: \u201cChange management is an organized, systematic application of the knowledge, tools, and resources of change that provides organizations with a key process to achieve their business strategy.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Despite the nuanced differences above, we can see here that there is still a great deal of overlap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when it comes down to it \u2013 what\u2019s the significance of these different definitions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Do These Definitions Matter for Your Business?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The most basic reason to have a definition is obvious \u2013 to understand the meaning of a term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, when different definitions are applied to the same term, each definition carries a different meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For business professionals, these subtle differences can make big differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine that a company is hiring a change management consultancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That consultancy\u2019s definition of these key concepts would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Determine the scope of the consultancy\u2019s services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How the firm viewed organizational change, change management, and their role in the change project<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Offer insight into how they approached organizational change management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Two completely different agencies may have completely different approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- According to John Kotter\u2019s consultancy<\/a>, change management: \u201cRefers to a set of basic tools or structures intended to keep any change effort under control. The goal is often to minimize the distractions and impacts of the change.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cManaging organizational change is the process of planning and implementing change in organizations in such a way as to minimize <\/em>employee resistance<\/em><\/a> and cost to the organization while simultaneously maximizing the effectiveness of the change effort.<\/em>\u201d \u2013Inc.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n