As a knowledge worker, it is not uncommon to find yourself at a client with the tools that you are provided, and not the tools that you might want.  You will, however, always find Microsoft Excel.  For this reason, Excel is often used beyond its intended purpose; as a forms tool, a reporting tool, a database or an application front-end. 

Although your first course of action should probably be to obtain the right tool, sometimes you just have to “make it work.”  This is the first in a series of Excel tips and tricks for non-programmers that will help you to understand and perform common programming tasks.

Let’s first level set on Organizational Change Management (OCM). It is not Change Control which relates to changes to business, system or other technical requirements.  OCM is the act of anticipating, preparing, managing, monitoring, measuring and supporting stakeholders through a transition. Regardless if that transition is large or small, technical, process, or organizationally driven.

People don’t fear change. We bring change to our lives all the time. We change jobs, get married, have children, move etc. People fear and reject change that doesn’t provide value to them or that they perceive as not valuable. As Project Managers, who by nature are inflicting change on an organization, you need to be prepared for your role in change management.

I submit to you that without realizing it, as an experienced Project Manager and/or PMP, you possess more knowledge than you realize to prepare you for your role in change management.