Calendar of Events

Considering Change Readiness Before the Transformative Project Kickoff

Organizations often ask, “When can we start the project?” But for transformative initiatives, there may be an even more important question:

“Are we ready to start?”

Join us for an engaging in-person event featuring three presenters who will explore Change Readiness as a critical facet of determining when to kickoff a transformative project.

Too often, project kickoff is driven primarily by funding approval, resource availability, deadlines, technology schedules, or executive expectations. Yet a project can be technically ready to begin while the organization—and the people expected to make the transformation successful—may not be equally prepared.

Our presenters will examine change readiness from three complementary perspectives, exploring how leaders can assess whether the conditions exist to successfully launch a transformation and what should happen when important readiness gaps are identified.

The discussion will explore topics such as:

• Assessing Readiness — What should we understand about leadership alignment, organizational capacity, culture, stakeholder commitment, capabilities, competing changes, and willingness to adopt before kickoff?

• Readiness as a Go/Adjust Input — How should readiness information influence the timing, scope, sequencing, resourcing, and approach of a transformative project?

• Building Readiness — When gaps exist, what actions can Project Management, Change Management, Business Analysis, Continuous Improvement, HR, Coaching, and other transformation disciplines take to improve the conditions for success?

• Creating Shared Accountability — Who owns readiness, and how can sponsors, project leaders, change practitioners, and operational leaders collectively determine whether the organization is prepared to move forward?

• Connecting Readiness to Benefits — How can considering readiness before kickoff improve adoption, execution, sustainability, and ultimately the realization of the intended business benefits?

Rather than treating Change Management as something that begins after a project has already been launched, this event challenges participants to consider how change readiness can become part of the decision-making process that determines how and when transformation begins.

Through three perspectives, practical insights, and interactive discussion with fellow transformation professionals, attendees will leave with ideas they can apply to their own organizations and initiatives.

The question isn't simply, “Is the project ready?”

It’s also: “Are the organization and its people ready for the transformation the project is about to create?”

PMI Tampa Bay members can register for $12 using promotin code KHT2SIKK. Members can also submit a request for a Business Acumen PDU on the PMI website after attending.