Change is constant in manufacturing.

Having an effective manufacturing change management process is key to staying ahead. In fact, with excellent change management, your project is up to seven times more likely to meet or exceed goals. The manufacturing sector faces unique challenges in navigating these transitions, including those necessitated by technology.  

The Prosci Methodology, which encompasses the Prosci ADKAR® Model, the Prosci 3-Phase Process, and the Prosci Change Triangle (PCT) Model, can also be your catalyst for a successful change transition.

Understanding Manufacturing Industry Challenges and Communication Barriers

Manufacturing change management enables smoother transitions in the workplace, focusing on clear communication and support for all employees. It involves effective planning, transparent communications, mitigating resistance, equipping sponsors and managers for their roles, and more. This approach helps employees adapt to new customer demands and maintain competitiveness while minimizing disruptions.

Implementing change management in manufacturing requires tackling communication challenges head-on.

Effective communication methods are crucial, especially as businesses shift towards making more sustainable products—a significant change in manufacturing driven by customer demand.

To implement sustainability and other changes, manufacturers must address the fact that floor workers often don't have easy email access, making it hard to keep everyone on the same page about changes.

The solution is to find creative ways to provide two-way information across the company, such as through digital signage and discussing changes at daily standup meetings.

Informal, clear communications like this help you ensure that every employee gets the information they need, can provide feedback, stays on board with changes, and feels like they're part of the change.

The Prosci Methodology offers a structured and research-backed approach to address these challenges. It offers a clear and actionable path forward while equipping leaders and employees with the knowledge and tools they need for successful transformation.

Let's look closer at the Prosci Methodology and how it helps manufacturers address change-related issues head-on.

The Prosci Approach To Change in Manufacturing

Prosci equips organizations for successful transformations with the Prosci Methodology, including scaling the Prosci ADKAR Model for individual change via the Prosci 3-Phase Process.

Certification and other role-based training programs also enable organizations to develop leaders and build lasting, in-house change capabilities.

Each component is crucial in manufacturing change management and enables you to support implementation, adoption, and sustainment.

The Prosci ADKAR Model

The Prosci ADKAR Model leverages industry-specific research to address change challenges within the manufacturing sector for every employee. Offering a structured approach to successful change, it focuses on:

• Awareness of the need for change
• Desire to participate and support the change
• Knowledge on how to change
• Ability to implement required skills and behaviors
• Reinforcement to sustain the change

This model is particularly effective in manufacturing because it enables you to address the barriers to change that people experience as they move through their individual transitions. It’s also flexible enough to apply in related areas, such as engineering change management, while enabling you to align critical changes with customer and market demands.

The Prosci 3-Phase Process

The Prosci 3-Phase Process provides a comprehensive framework for successful change management in manufacturing, featuring:

• Phase 1 – Prepare Approach involves developing a change management strategy with success in mind.
• Phase 2 – Manage Change centers on implementing strategies and plans to navigate the change.
• Phase 3 – Sustain Outcomes solidifies the change and equips the organization to maintain it for the long run.

This structured process bridges the gap between individual and organizational change, so you can manage individual transitions efficiently at scale. It enables people across your organization to adopt and use new technologies, process updates, market shifts, and other changes prevalent in manufacturing.

Certification and skills enhancement

The Prosci Change Management Certification Program is a lively, hands-on, three-day course. The experience offers participants a unique opportunity to apply Prosci approaches to real projects in their organization.

This training is often pivotal for manufacturing professionals seeking to lead change effectively. The curriculum integrates findings from industry-specific research, equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate and implement change within their organizations.

Prosci certification offers a structured, repeatable and effective approach to change management. Participants come away ready to lead change efforts that boost efficiency, elevate product standards, and secure a competitive edge in the manufacturing industry.

A Manufacturing Change Management Success Story

Explore the practical application and effectiveness of the Prosci Methodology through real-world success stories from global manufacturers.

The Husky success story showcases the successful use of Prosci ADKAR Model during its organizational restructuring.

As a leading provider of injection molding systems, Husky implemented the Prosci ADKAR Model to manage the complexities of this significant change effectively. This strategic approach helped Husky to enhance operational efficiency and improve employee engagement by focusing on individual change management. The model illustrates how a structured and targeted change management process can improve organizational performance for a more unified workforce.

This is one of many success stories that underscore the value of employing the Prosci Methodology for effective change management.

By applying these structured approaches, companies can achieve short-term change objectives and lay the groundwork for sustained growth and competitiveness.

If you’re navigating digital transformation in manufacturing, you're not alone. The success story below highlights the need for a systematic change management approach to meet technological and market challenges.

Navigating Digital Transformation in Manufacturing  

Digital transformation is key for manufacturers aiming to stay ahead in a swiftly changing industry. By adopting digital technologies, companies can:

• Enhance operational efficiency
• Improve product quality
• Respond more effectively to customer needs

By applying the Prosci Methodology, manufacturing firms are better positioned to manage the human elements of digital transformation. It ensures managers are thoroughly prepared, equipped, and supported to minimize resistance to change and improve organizational success.

As a strategic approach, it enables manufacturers to adapt to industry innovations and maintain competitive advantages.

The methodology also helps enhance operational efficiency. It's also essential for supporting new and existing employees, as they're required to develop the digital skills necessary for success in manufacturing today.

Embracing digital transformation is no easy feat. The Prosci Methodology equips manufacturers to thrive as market demands and industry requirements evolve. As the industry moves forward, these practices will be instrumental in shaping a resilient and innovative manufacturing organization of the future.