Take Two on Change

  Change Management   Governance   Knowledge Management   Leadership   Lessons Learned   ProjectsAtWork  

With 70 percent of change initiatives doomed for failure, many executives are hesitant to lead or champion efforts that so often do more harm than good. But after disbanding a change initiative in 2008, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police applied several lessons learned and found success in transforming its governance, culture and accountability.

“Change in organizations, whether it involves reengineering, restructuring, quality efforts, or cultural renewal, is complex, dynamic, messy, and scary — and often, unsuccessful.” — John Kotter, Leading Change

It is estimated that 70% of change initiatives fail to achieve their intended outcomes. The reasons range from a lack of understanding of the need for change to the lack of a clear vision. With stories in abundance of failed change efforts, it is no surprise that the mere thought of undertaking significant organizational change can be incredibly daunting for leaders. But what is often lost in these failed attempts are the lessons learned that could later serve to generate positive results.

Like so many other organizations that have experienced unsuccessful change efforts, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada’s national police service, is not immune. In 2008, following recommendations arising from a government inquiry, the RCMP set about undertaking change in the areas of …

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