Change management can be a difficult process for HR managers and others, but some technical tools can help make the change go more smoothly.
Using change management applications can help HR managers plan, implement and measure the success of change. Tools such as project management software and survey programs can provide better insight into progress and provide ideas for improvement.
What is change management software?
Change management software is software that companies use to improve the outcome of change.
This category of software may include tools that help employees manage change, assist employees as they adapt to new software or process, track progress in adapting to the change, and measure the effects of the change.
How can change management software help companies?
When a company implements change, leaders often expect improvement in exchange for the disruption of the change. For example, an organization may seek to reduce costs, improve efficiency, or increase sales.
The software can help improve the adoption of a new system or measure the effects of a change, among other things. For example, when an organization implements a new system, leaders may decide to build a training tool into the new software, which could potentially help employees learn the software faster.
In addition, companies can use dashboards to compare old operations with new ones. Surveys can also capture feedback from employees and serve as a basis for improving FAQs and training materials.
6 Best Change Management Software and Tools
The following list includes change management tools, listed in alphabetical order, that cover various aspects of change management, such as online training and project management. The author selected vendors based on information from sources such as Capterra and G2, as well as software reviews and personal experience.
1. 360 Learning
Training employees on a new system or process is a key step in change management, and 360Learning can potentially help employees teach each other.
With 360Learning, any employee with the appropriate permissions can create learning content for others, and subject matter experts can add new learning material to the system with formal training, potentially enhancing the employee learning experience. Administrators can set permissions to require approval of any new content before the content becomes visible to employees.
2. Asana
Asana is a project management tool that can help track and manage new initiatives.
Any user with the appropriate permissions can set up projects, and employees can add other users to projects and assign tasks to each other. Dashboards and reminders notify employees when a new task is assigned or when one is due.
Additionally, AI features can send real-time status updates to employees, help them search for projects, and help users develop efficient workflows.
3. Freshworks
Freshworks is similar to help desk software that employees use to submit and track requests.
Freshworks avoids problems that can arise when employees send issues through multiple channels, such as email, which can lead to missed or lost requests. Freshworks can also handle requests from across the company.
Data collected from employee help requests can help managers compile frequently asked questions for employees, update training materials, and identify common problems with, for example, software implementation.
4. SurveyMonkey
Getting feedback from employees is always important when a company is going through a transition, and survey tools can help gather those responses.
SurveyMonkey includes an intuitive interface, the ability to create custom questions, and default reports and dashboards so users don’t have to create their own from scratch. Users can also choose from different question format options, such as multiple choice, open text, or single answer.
5. Tableau
Tableau is a business intelligence application that can summarize and display data in charts and graphs.
The software can be integrated with multiple systems, allowing users to create dashboards that relate to multiple data sources. Business leaders can use these dashboards to measure the success of business transitions and make changes if needed.
6. WalkMe
WalkMe is a digital adoption platform that helps employees learn a new system.
WalkMe can provide advice and information directly in the new software. For example, if an employee is using a new ERP system, WalkMe can answer their question in the app instead of the employee having to leave the system to find out the answer.
WalkMe can also track employee usage of the new system to help identify problem areas.
Eric St-Jean is an independent consultant with a special focus on HR technology, project management and Microsoft Excel training and automation. He writes about numerous business and technological fields.