CHANGE LAB
A Change LAB is a methodology that makes it possible to supervise the implementation of a digital project in an organization.
Its objective is to ensure that the results are maximized and sustained during the implementation of the project by fostering a participative and co-creative approach with all the stakeholders: employees, management, technology suppliers, etc.
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The Change LAB thus acts as a laboratory for experimentation and co-creation centered on organizational transformation where technological choices and business processes of the organization are aligned while maximizing the adoption of technologies by the teams in place.
Tackle complex technology activation and adoption issues with a holistic approach
A deployment that can be done at all stages of a digital project
Depending on the needs of an organization, the Change LAB can be initiated at all stages of the deployment of a digital project, from the diagnosis and selection of technological solutions to their implementation, transfer and maintenance.
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In any case, its perspective of co-creation with the users of the project will make it possible to:
- Facilitate the appropriation of new tools related to the project;
- Align organizational processes with the digital project;
- Facilitate the organizational transformation of the company;
- Promote the development of digital skills among participants through an action-based acquisition approach;
- Develop the company's capacity for innovation through digital technologies and collaboration;
- Sensitize the company to new approaches of open innovation and co-creation.
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A collaborative, learning and agile process
Questions/answers on the methodology
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How is a Change LAB deployed?A Change LAB is implemented using around ten collective workshops. Workshops take place for 3 to 4 hours and are held every 2 to 3 weeks to encourage fruitful discussions between the participants and move the project forward collectively and consensually. Missions are carried out between the workshops in order to collect information in the field in order, for example, to validate certain findings with other employees of the company or to experiment with the prototyped solutions on the floor and collect the results. As the Change LAB progresses, contribution contracts are also defined by each participant to promote the acquisition of skills necessary for the success of the collective project.
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You are already in a continuous improvement process. What could a Change LAB bring you?The launch of a continuous improvement initiative is done by directly targeting a problem whose parameters are generally known. This excludes the period of collective exploration to discover other issues and solutions aimed at improving the state of the system in which the project must be implemented. The Change LAB approach encourages the collective exploration of complex issues by creating working groups representative of the entire organization. It will therefore be complementary to traditional continuous improvement approaches by making it possible to select the best models for a given organization. A Change LAB will in particular support ICT implementations by ensuring collaborative work among stakeholders that promotes ownership through participation, without hindering development.
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What is the value created by a Change LAB in digital?The value created by a Change LAB is multiple: Reducing transformation cycles through rapid ownership of the change process; Strong anchoring of the culture of change; Developing a culture and skills of collaboration; Strengthening accountability of all actors in complex initiatives; Creating or strengthening relationships with the organization's stakeholders; Increasing the efficiency of the use of the digital project development plan; Ongoing identification of future opportunities for digital innovation.
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What are the prerequisites for launching a Change LAB?1/ Motivating participants To make a difference, every program participant must see a gain in the experience of open collaboration. For example, we can define the "champions" of the program, responsible for maintaining cohesion and involvement in the group. 2/ Identify a location The sustainability of a place in the company identified as the "Change LAB" helps to strengthen the support and sustainability of the transformation undertaken in the organization. This physical space available in the company can also be a space open to everyone (cafeteria, lobby, etc.). 3/ Explicitly support the initiative The support of the other participants but also and above all of the management team of the company is essential to the success of the operation. The identification of a LAB manager directly involved in the implementation of activities in the field will be instrumental to the success of the operation. It will be necessary in particular for the transfer of animation and observation skills within the company.
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What are the first 3 rules to put in place for the success of a Change LAB?Communication, Communication, Communication! Communicating what is happening in the Change LAB to the rest of the company, even to its suppliers and its customers, is an essential lever for change in the natural environment of the organization and makes it possible to motivate non- participants to be part of the continuation of the project during its deployment. The organization must therefore establish adequate means of communication so that the people affected by the implementation of the digital project are kept informed of the progress of the Change LAB. This is particularly true when the participants in the process represent only the minority of end users of the technology to be implemented.
Want to know more?
Download here our document (in French) presenting best practices, deployment steps and concrete examples of Change LAB in 3 Quebec SMEs