What are our responsibilities as merchants of change?

What are our responsibilities as merchants of change?

As someone who frequently promotes change on the digital front, I know that we have to be very careful about how we present these changes.  Getting the right people on board with the change from the beginning can make or break the initiative.  We need to be sure that the change we're pushing is well thought out and will not create an overall increase in the amount of work people will need to complete.  If it will create an increase in work it is crucial that the benefits of the change are able to outweigh the increase in work that it creates.  

Very good documentation is another important deliverable that needs to be included.  Documentation of the benefits, detriments, changes in processes and how it will affect people.  Documentation goes along with a larger topic that needs to be carefully thought out.  Communication of the upcoming changes.  People don't like to be told at the last minute that something is happening.  Allowing people to know how things will be changing is not always possible,  but should be done if it is possible.  

If you will be asking individuals for input on the changes taking place then you will need to take the feedback that you receive into account.  This is a big issue with many changes that take place.  When management asks for input and then disregards it people are very offended.  If the input that is given is not able to be implemented then people will need to know why.