The world is currently experiencing a lot of new trends that make change inevitable. The social, political, and economic changes have ushered in both opportunities and challenges in public and private organizations. Many organizations, therefore, have accepted the phenomenon of change, as they realize that failure to adapt to the new trends threatens their success, including sustainability. However, change remains to be one of the most challenging and complex issues to implement. A significant number of organizations have failed in their change initiatives due to lack of proper understanding on how to execute the process. Some organizations have rushed the process while others have lost focus during the change process, leading to failure. Effective change management is one of the most effective strategies that any organization can use to implement desirable change successfully. It involves continuous reviewing the direction, structures, and capability of an organization to address in internal and external needs ( Todnem, 2005) . The success of a change process depends on effective change management, which is executed by change managers.
One of the main reasons why any organization should embrace change management is that it ensures continuity. It is through change management that an organization can avoid making unnecessary changes because it is based on comprehensive planning and analysis that reduce the chance of failure significantly. Proper planning and analysis of the changes process are essential in ensuring continuity because they can reduce the risk of business interruption, including reduced productivity and profits ( Todnem, 2005) . Change management, therefore, is essential in ensuring continuity in an organization, especially by ensuring cost-effective use of available resources to achieve the desired change and reducing the possibility of returning to pre-change operations or activities. Also, change management is vital in enhancing an organization’s resiliency and while it assists in establishing a contingency plan and strategies that are required to successfully executes a change. The success and sustainability of modern organizations largely depend on change management.
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Change management is also important because it reduces the cost of change, which can be costly, particularly when it executed on a large scale. Cost can be costly when it is poorly managed. Studies have shown that the cost of change is high at both project and organizational level if it is poorly managed ( Todnem, 2005) . On the contrary, with the use of change management, an organization can reduce the cost of change substantially. Change management is an effective cost avoidance strategy when an organization is avoiding a project. Many projects have failed or stalled by the poor management of cost or financial aspects, which are likely to increase with time. Change management makes the implementation of a project cost-effective, enhancing the chances of success. Besides, change management can be used to mitigate risks during the change process. Change management involves comprehensive risks assessments that are linked to the general value of a project ( Todnem, 2005) . The change process is characterized by both hidden and open risks and vulnerabilities that threaten success if not properly managed or mitigated.
Besides, change management is essential in reducing or minimizing resistance. One of the major reasons why organizational changes fail is because of internal resistance. Many people fear change, and they would like to maintain the status quo, especially when they face a lot of uncertainties. Nonetheless, through change management, an organization can encourage and motivate employees to understand and embrace the change ( Todnem, 2005) . Employees need to be involved in the change process from the beginning of the change process to the end to avoid resistance. Change management is one of the effective ways of managing the human aspect of a change that may be challenging if not adequately addressed.
Therefore, organizations can only succeed in implementing a change when they fully embrace change management. Change management enhances the probability of meeting the set change goals and objectives ( Todnem, 2005) . Projects that involve the utilization of change management are six times more likely to succeed in meeting the set goals and objective than those that ignore the concept. Thus, change management is a concept that cannot be overlooked if an organization wants to succeed in the modern economic and social environment. Effective change management helps any organization to adapt to the changing environment of operation at any given time.
Therefore, change managers play an essential role in organizations. First, they diagnose and develop clear change goals and objectives. Change managers help in analyzing and identifying the issues or problems that need to be addressed by an organization during the change process ( Smollan, 2013) . Consequently, they can determine specific changes that are required in an organization. Secondly, change managers play a role in facilitating the change process. One of the most complex and challenging issues is to persuade people to embrace the proposed changes in an organization. To facilitate the change process, change managers identify main stakeholders of the proposed change, involving in identifying key issues, and working together with parties to set clear goals an objected that are relevant to the success of an organization ( Smollan, 2013) . Also, to successfully facilitate the change process, change managers educate stakeholders to assist them in understanding why the proposed change is necessary.
Thirdly, change managers act as designers of the change process ( Smollan, 2013) . They design the change process in such a way that it can help in achieving specific goals and objectives. Specifically, they review change tools and interventions and assign roles and responsibilities to stakeholders. Effective designing of change process enhance the success of a project. Moreover, they act as monitors of the proposed change. It is possible for a change to result in unexpected results, especially when it is not closely monitored by a competent change manager ( Smollan, 2013) . Change managers, therefore, ensure that all stages of the change process are successfully implemented within the required time. Also, change managers play a role of a marketer through rewarding, advertising, and creating fun that people need to embrace and implement the change. Change managers influence the success of the proposed and executed change substantially.
Therefore, change managers benefit the project by ensuring effective and successful change management. They ensure that effective change management used during the change process. Change managers also benefit the project by setting clear goals and objectives while at the same time ensuring that all stakeholders embrace and are committed to the success of the project. Change managers also reduce the possible resistance that may hinder the success of the project. Change management cannot be implemented without the input of a competent and qualified change manager. To benefit from change management, organizations should employ qualified change managers who have in-depth knowledge of the change process. The current business environment is challenging and complex, and change management can help organizations to succeed and gain a competitive advantage.
References
Smollan, R. K. (2013). Trust in change managers: The role of affect. Journal of Organizational Change Management , 26 (4), 725-747.
Todnem By, R. (2005). Organisational change management: A critical review. Journal of Change Management , 5 (4), 369-380.
