Communication and Change Management

Improving Change Management and Communication

If the modernization were to be described in one word, it would be ‘change’. All that the modernization programme is centred around is about changing the way the entire government mechanism works; building on existing structures and revamping, where necessary, systems that need improvement in order to foster an efficiently working government system. With all the change taking place, it must be properly managed in order to be successful; organizations across government are undergoing a significant change process which must be monitored and its impact on the human resources of those organizations addressed. Not only must the change be managed but it must be communicated constantly to the internal (within government) and the external (public) audiences for smooth transition.

Expectedly, with change, come anxiety and apprehension. Therefore, a necessary component of the modernization programme is about providing support to and communicating adequately these changes to the internal and external audiences. Not only does this help encourage “buy-in”, but it also enables smoother transitioning to a new way of doing things. The communication programme seeks to heighten public awareness while promoting public involvement in the change process.

The central role of the Modernization Communication and Change Management programme is to lead, facilitate, communicate, coordinate and monitor the change process across Government entities.

The key strategies for bringing about improved Change Management and Communications are:

• Improving internal and external communications
• Improving the change management component of the modernization process

Change Management

Change Management strategies have been developed in order to facilitate organizational Change Management in entities undergoing transformation and modernization. The approach and methodology used in the Change Management programme includes the identification of environmental changes (local, regional and international) which drive Public Sector modernization/transformation; the discussion and examination of the concept of Change Management; the identification and communication of the methods employed in managing the change; definition of roles and responsibilities of stakeholders; and management of the human side of change.

The Change Management programme has been executed in the Ministry of National Security, as well as the Forestry Department and Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.

Communications

Improved communications is aimed at getting government closer to citizens. Modernized governments are ones which constantly communicate with and listen to their citizens.The communications programme will focus on a 360-degree approach to implementing an effective modernization communication strategy.

It is recognized that there is a need for a communications policy and strategy for government, in order to promote public knowledge, belief and commitment to the objectives of the modernization programme.

There have been, in recent times, renewed efforts to communicate the activities and achievements of the modernization programme but much remains to be done to bolster these efforts.

In addition to the communication initiatives being facilitated within Ministries which are undergoing transformation, the mass and alternative media are being utilized to further the Modernization message.

A few publications have come out of the Modernization Division, including the quarterly Transformation Pages newsletter, fortnightly and quarterly publications in the print media, radio and tv productions.