{"id":5747,"date":"2019-11-28T07:50:05","date_gmt":"2019-11-28T12:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/?p=5747"},"modified":"2020-12-20T20:31:44","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T01:31:44","slug":"how-to-use-leavitts-diamond-to-achieve-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/how-to-use-leavitts-diamond-to-achieve-change\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Leavitt’s Diamond to Achieve Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe only thing that is constant is Change.\u201d – Heraclitus\"\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

An epidemic of change is happening globally–reengineering, restructuring, and revamping! Workplaces seem to be launching one change initiative after another. \u00a0Digital Transformation<\/a>\u00a0is happening everywhere. Yet, the hard truth is that many change initiatives fail.<\/p>\n

Change Management initiatives<\/a> fail because of the way organizations view change. Often, change is seen as an isolated process. Organizations tend to focus on only one part of the organization in isolation. This can be a fatal error.<\/p>\n

Everything in an organization is connected, and changing one piece can impact another. Hence change can only be successful if all interconnected pieces are considered. In 1965, Harold J. Leavitt<\/a> designed an integrated approach to change, the Leavitt\u2019s Diamond.<\/p>\n

What is Leavitt\u2019s Diamond?<\/h2>\n

Leavitt\u2019s Diamond<\/a> is a framework for understanding the connection between the key factors in an organization, and building an integrated change strategy. This is an essential element in Strategy Development<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Structure, Tasks, People, and Technology<\/a> are the 4 essential components of the Leavitt\u2019s Diamond.<\/p>\n

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  1. Structure<\/strong> – The Structure refers to the organization\u2019s hierarchical buildup and the layout of the various departments. However, this is not limited to its hierarchical buildup. It can also refer to the mutual relations that exist between departments and employees, the coordination between various levels of management, and the communication patterns.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Tasks<\/strong> \u2013 The Tasks refers to the functions individual employees are assigned within their jobs. This relates closely to the organization\u2019s goals on the strategic, tactical, and operational levels.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. \u00a0People<\/strong> – These are your people \u2013 your staff, your employees. Beyond its physical countdown, this component also refers to all skills, competence, knowledge, and efficiency that employees bring to the organization.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. Technology<\/strong> \u2013 Technology refers to the upgraded machines and devices, as well as systems and software applications that build up the performance of tasks within an organization.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Between these 4 components, there must be the right balance. Only then can change be successfully implemented.<\/p>\n

          From the Drawing Board to the Ground Running<\/h2>\n

          Having a good understanding of the Leavitt\u2019s Diamond is important for organizations. However, the most critical is having it on the ground running. Each of the components\u00a0must be identified, defined, and determined–your main tasks, your people, your tasks, and structure.<\/p>\n

          This is critical because you are building a basic framework for starting the change model. Without the right balance of Structure, People, Tasks, and Technology, the Business Transformation<\/a> necessary will never occur.<\/p>\n

          Organizations must also take note that a primary change will always have an impact on each of the 4 components.\u00a0A change in one component comes with changes in other components of the Leavitt\u2019s Diamond. When this happens, there is a need for necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n

          Taking The Impact of Change on Tasks As an Example<\/h2>\n