Roadmap for Planned Change, Part 1: Change Leadership and Project Management

Abstract

Change is the constant in healthcare; on a daily basis, healthcare managers and care providers are dealing with new staff, new technology, new payment systems, and new evidence-based practices. The importance of planned change allows for a roadmap to be created minimizing the speed bumps and wrong turns. Successful change is not an option for our patients and providers in achieving the end results. This is the first article in a two-part series; this article focuses on the foundations of change theory and the elements of project management most critical to successfully implement any project. This article discusses concepts and tools of both change leadership and project management that lend support in planning and managing large- or small-scale change. The second article, also in this issue of Nurse Leader, gives specific examples for planning change related to a bar-coded medication administration (BCMA) program. Change is the constant in healthcare; on a daily basis, healthcare managers and care providers are dealing with new staff, new technology, new payment systems, and new evidence-based practices. The importance of planned change allows for a roadmap to be created minimizing the speed bumps and wrong turns. Successful change is not an option for our patients and providers in achieving the end results. This is the first article in a two-part series; this article focuses on the foundations of change theory and the elements of project management most critical to successfully implement any project. This article discusses concepts and tools of both change leadership and project management that lend support in planning and managing large- or small-scale change. The second article, also in this issue of Nurse Leader, gives specific examples for planning change related to a bar-coded medication administration (BCMA) program.