Running head: CHANGE PLAN DRAFT 1: OPTION 2 Change Plan Draft 1: Option 2 Sudent Name School/University CHANGE PLAN DRAFT 1: OPTION 2 2 1. Introduction • Change in the school’s management system through the integration of enterprise resource planning (ERP) is an effective way of improving equitable learning experiences. • ERP technology systems will facilitate the integration and automation of both administrative and academic functions. Thesis statement: The adoption of the ERP system in the school will facilitate the automation of various activities, including employee recruitment process, employee’s payroll, examination, fees payment, classroom attendance, student school attendance teacher-student interaction, and teacher-parent communication. 1.1 ERP Software Selection • The ERP software selected for integration with the school’s system should address all the needs of students, administrators, parents, and teachers. • The right ERP software should cover the current teaching and management issues in classrooms and administration offices. • The selection process will be guided by thorough research aiming at establishing the existing teaching and management issues in the workplace. 2. Key Driving Forces and Restraining Forces in ERP Adoption 2.1 Key Driving Forces • Enhancement of performance efficiency • Technological advancement and globalization trend • Information management and centralization CHANGE PLAN DRAFT 1: OPTION 2 • Simplification of data gathering, storage, and retrieval • The enhanced resource management process 3 2.2 Restraining Forces • Capital investment requirement: ERP software will cost the school between $150,000 and $750,000, and an annual maintenance fee amounting to 20 percent of the initial acquisition fee. • Change resistance: Change resistance will occur because of the fear of the unknown among the stakeholders. • Lack of incentives for adoption • Cost of training: The training process will prepare the stakeholders psychologically before the adoption of the technology. 3. Training of Stakeholders on ERP Software Usage • The training process will facilitate the optimization of ERP software usage in school. • Training minimizes the changes for change resistance among the stakeholders considering that not all people have a natural inclination towards system automation. 4. Strategy for Disequilibrium and Stalemate Elimination during ERP Adoption The management of change associated with ERP adoption will be guided by John Kotter’s change management theory. The eight steps to be followed during the adoption of the ERP system will include: i. Creation of urgency • The change agent should enlighten the school stakeholders about the need for ERP software adoption. CHANGE PLAN DRAFT 1: OPTION 2 • 4 The adoption of ERP will keep the school abreast of technological development levels in schools. • The stakeholders should understand that technology integration with school programs ensure the competitiveness of students in the globalized workplaces. ii. Strong Coalition Formation • The leaders tasked with monitoring ERP adoption will engage stakeholders in the process. • The leaders will also oversee the formation of teams for facilitating ERP software adoption. iii. Creation of a Change Vision • The leaders will enlighten stakeholders regarding the benefits of integrating ERP software with the school’s administration and teaching-learning system. iv. Communicating Change Vision • The leaders tasked with managing the ERP software adoption process will hold regular programs to enlighten stakeholders about its applications and benefits. v. Obstacle Removal • The training process will minimize resistance to change. • Evaluation of the school’s technical robustness for ERP adoption will facilitate the determination of a specific level of technological competence requirements to ensure easy adoption of ERP software. vi. Creation of Short-term Benefits CHANGE PLAN DRAFT 1: OPTION 2 • 5 ERP software integration with the school’s teaching and administrative system will facilitate the elimination of low efficiency and time-consuming conventional processes. • The software will promote the digitization of numerous processes hence benefiting administrators, teachers, students, and parents (Foradian Technologies, 2018). • ERP will enhance various communication processes, including teacherstudent communication, parent-teacher communication, and student-student communication. • The system will promote the sharing and storage of high-quality data by preventing duplications. vii. Building on the Change • The leaders tasked with change management will consider Kotter’s argument that change initiatives fail because of an early declaration of victory. • ERP adoption, therefore, will generate long term benefits through continuous monitoring and support. viii. Supporting Change using Organizational Culture • The change management leaders will consider that organizational culture is essential in creating change efficiency. • The existing globalization trend requires schools to develop cultures that embrace the use of technology in teaching and learning and management. CHANGE PLAN DRAFT 1: OPTION 2 6 5. Reason for the Monitoring ERP Adoption Using Kotter’s Change Management Theory • Kotter’s change management theory will enable the change leaders to set both shortterm and long-term goals of ERP system adoption. • The approach will reduce the chances of the failure of the ERP technology project. 6. Change Measurement Process The measurement of change success during the adoption of ERP software will revolve around three metrics, including: • The organization’s objective metrics: operation efficiency, technological development, and compliance with the federal government’s regulatory compliance framework. • Project performance metrics: communication effectiveness, data management enhancement, resource utilization efficiency, and timeline adherence • Stakeholder adoption metrics: effective team formation, performance optimization, positive behavioral adjustment, performance improvement, and satisfaction maximization 7. Conclusion • I believe that ERP adoption will improve equitable learning experiences for the students. • The role of the change agent will offer me an opportunity to optimize the utility of the school’s ERP software. • I will also ensure that the needs of all students, administrators, teachers, and parents are addressed equitably. CHANGE PLAN DRAFT 1: OPTION 2 7 References Altamony, H., Al-Salti, Z., Gharaibeh, A., & Elyas, T. (2016). The relationship between change management strategy and successful enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations: A theoretical perspective. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Research, 7(4), 690-703. Foradian Technologies. (2018). Factors to consider before implementing ERP software for schools. Fedena. Hon, A. H., Bloom, M., & Crant, J. M. (2014). Overcoming resistance to change and enhancing creative performance. Journal of Management, 40(3), 919-941. Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press.