Overview
In this course, we endeavour to 'make sense of organizational change.' Organizational change occurs continuously, although not necessarily in guided form. Additional changes are implemented in response to competitive environmental pressures and are intended to positively affect an organization's technology, product, service, strategy, structure, people, and/or culture. Finally, change is a dominant, underlying concern, fundamental to all organizations.
The major organizational change challenge is to come to an understanding of change in order to respond, harness, and further create and successfully manage through it. In this course we use experiential learning and apply change ideas and concepts in a very practical sense. Learning about change is deepest when individuals are also applying concepts and ideas in contextual, real world terms. Through the use of simulations and active teaming, we hope to transmit the excitement, complexity, and power of the organizational change experience into your virtual learning environment.
Outline
This course is divided into 8 lessons.
Week 1: Introduction to Change + Teams
Week 2: Levels of Change
Week 3: Change Models
Week 4: Change Leaders; Change Managers
Week 5: The Human Side of Change
Week 6: Organizational Power and Politics Related to Change
Week 7: Change Communication + Sustaining Change in Organizations
Week 8: Organizational Culture Change
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Develop an understanding of why organizations change.
- Think critically regarding:
- key decisions that need to be made in the planning phase of change, e.g., change model, level of change and
- how organizations work through the process of change, e.g., via communication and addressing resistance to change.
- Discuss practical examples of situations encountered in organizational change.
- Apply course concepts and develop organizational change skills:
- As individuals related to case studies and
- As part of a team in a simulated, multimedia environment.
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of one individual assignment, two group assignments and on your participation in moderated group discussions
| Activity | Weight |
| Participation in Discussions | 40% |
| Assignment 1: Team Charter | 10% |
| Assignment 2: Team Assessment of the Simulated Change | 20% |
| Final Individual Assignment | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
To receive a passing grade in this course, you must meet these minimum standards:
- receive a minimum of 60% on the participation component; and
- receive an average grade of 60% over all course components.