Change Implementation Techniques for Laying a Foundation for New Ways
Technique 1.26 History Trip
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Introduction
. This is a procedure to reconstruct the history of an organisation and to identify the significant events in its history.
. It is based on the assumption that it is best to work from the core outwards, ie if an organisation
"... lacks a strong sense of identity and unity at its core ‐ clear self‐image ‐ it is difficult for other aspects of the system to work well..."
Bob Dick et al, 1990
Thus the sequence to follow is
‐ who are we (identity and unity)?
‐ why are we here (direction and purpose)?
‐ how do we do things (practices and procedures)?
‐ what actually happens (behaviours and relationships)?
. Linked with this are a shared history and vision
. Other outcomes from this procedure can include
‐ improving relationships between participants through the high levels of legitimate self‐disclosure that the process enables
‐ reinforcing the concept that the present is an outcome of the past, and that they can begin to work from the present towards a designed future
‐ demonstrating that the past has stability in some values but changes others, and can encourage people to review the most deeply‐held values/beliefs/mindsets, etc and accept that some are changeable
NB Sometimes people resist change because they perceive/assume that past values and achievements are not appreciated.
Process
. There are 4 main steps
i) compile a timeline or history of the organisation
ii) identify past and present significant events in a timeline
iii) identify the trends
iv) identify the implications for follow‐up activities
. This is best done using storytelling, such as
"...the event I remember most is......
do you remember that what happened was......
I decided on it because then.....
Now when I think about it.....
When I look back, the event that stands out is.....
What I remember happening was......
It meant a lot to me at the time because......
Now when I look back on it, I think..."
Bob Dick et al, 1990
(source: Bob Dick et al, 1990)