IT Change within an organization

Every day researchers, engineers, teachers, technicians, governments and organizations are working to change things around them. Different synonyms referring to change are used such innovation, conversion, adjustment, transformation, correction, mutation, appointment, novelty , variety ,remodeling and list goes on.

  Usually people are recruited to any organization because their employer believe they will bring necessary changes to improve the organizational goals. Even though this phenomenon is common to many fields I would like to focus more on software engineering. Most often those working as IT professional and developing in-house applications will agree with me on certain points I am raising.

  The fact is that everyone will want the IT department to develop new applications for them, automate some manual tasks or add new features to existing softwares. Ok that is fine but what they forget is that the software engineer or the developer is not a magician, and that the two parties have to work together hand in hand to achieve the desired target. But what I have noticed is that in many cases the whole thing is left in the hands of the developer alone, the user no longer show any interest in the project at all or worse when the project is completed the user is reluctant to use it. This lead us ineluctably to the following question:  

Why do people resist change ?

According to James Hunt  “Resistance isn't an indication that something is wrong with what you are trying to change. It is an indication that something is happening.” 

What are the signs of resistance  ?

1. Confusion
2.  Immediate criticism
3. Denial 
4. Malicious compliance
5. Sabotage
6. Easy agreement
7. Deflection (change the subject)
8. Silence
9. In-your-face criticism

How should we respond to resistance ?

As stated in [1] here are the guidelines for responding to resistance.

 NO. 1: Maintain clear focus
           Keep both long and short view, persevere
NO. 2: Embrace resistance
NO. 3: Respect those who resist
            Respect vs. trust
            Listen with interest
            Tell the truth
NO. 4: Relax
            Stay calm to stay engaged
            Know their intentions
NO. 5: Join with the Resistance
            Begin together
           Change the game
           Find themes and possibilities

I am stopping here and hopefully will try to continue this discussion on my next post. Next time.

Referecence:
[1] Maurer, Rick, Beyond the Wall of Resistance, Austin, Texas: Bard Press, 1996, chapter 5