What is Change Monitoring?

Change Monitoring is a continuous documentation of changes within a Change Management process. It helps in achieving the predefined goals of Change Management initiatives within an organization. Different process stakeholders are provided with individual information within Change Monitoring, with the aim of reducing uncertainties and mitigating risks. Using Change Monitoring, data on measures and activities, as well as their effects within the Change Management process, are collected. From this data, it can be derived how willing a department or an entire company is to change. Therefore, Change Monitoring reduces uncertainties by precisely showing which measures achieve the desired effect and which do not.

The concept of change monitoring, particularly in the context of organizational change management, has its roots in the field of management and psychology. It evolved over time as organizations recognized the need to effectively manage and adapt to changes in their internal and external environments. Here is a brief overview of the origin and development of change monitoring:

1. Early Management Theories: The foundations of change management can be traced back to early management theories in the 20th century, including the work of management pioneers like Frederick Taylor, Henri Fayol, and Max Weber. These theories focused on improving organizational efficiency and structure.

2. Human Relations Movement: In the 1920s and 1930s, researchers like Elton Mayo conducted studies that highlighted the importance of employee attitudes and social interactions in the workplace. This marked a shift towards understanding the human aspect of organizations.

3. Kurt Lewin's Contribution: Kurt Lewin, a psychologist, is often regarded as one of the key figures in the development of change management concepts. He introduced the idea of "unfreezing, changing, and refreezing" to explain how organizations could transition from one state to another. His work laid the foundation for understanding the psychological aspects of change.

4. 1970s and 1980s: During this period, management scholars and practitioners began to explore change management more systematically. Concepts like "organizational development" and "change agents" gained popularity. The field saw the emergence of models and frameworks for managing change.

5. Contemporary Change Management: In recent decades, change management has become a well-established field with its own methodologies, models, and best practices. The concept of change monitoring has evolved alongside the broader field of change management. It involves tracking, assessing, and adapting to changes in organizations, often with the goal of improving efficiency, employee satisfaction, and overall performance.

The origin of change monitoring, therefore, lies in the historical evolution of management and organizational psychology theories, with a growing emphasis on understanding and managing change within complex organizational settings.