View source for Resistance to Change Mapping

=== Application ===

It is important to involve the right people when using the tool, as the output is only as good as the team that performs the assessment. If project managers do not have a good understanding of the stakeholders involved, conducting a stakeholder analysis would be beneficial (Different tools for stakeholder assessments can be found in the [http://wiki.doing-projects.org/index.php/ConceptBox Concept Box]). The tool should be utilised early in the project and revised continuously, as it only provides a snapshot of the stakeholders' opinions about the change<ref name="Olsson_airborn"/>.

Once the team has been identified, they should physically meet with the project manager to conduct the tool. At the beginning of the workshop, the project manager shares the intention of the meeting and the purpose of Resistance to Change Mapping. The framework of the tool should either be printed in a large scale or drawn on a whiteboard to make the expectations of the participants and the tool clear. Each member of the workshop writes their thoughts, concerns, doubts, excitements, and other relevant points on post-it notes for a set period of time, and then each individual presents a post-it note one at a time, explaining their thoughts behind it and placing it in the framework.

Before and during the meeting where the tool is being conducted, it is essential to create an open environment where all kinds of feedback are welcome. The project managers should listen without defending their project or neglecting the concerns expressed by the stakeholders <ref name="Olsson_et_al"/>.

To increase the candor and quality of meetings, the project manager can adopt different behaviours and actions, such as asking for permission upfront in meetings to lead effectively and telling the team what they have permission to do, even though it might seem redundant <ref name="Axtell"> "Axtell, P. (2019) Make your meetings a safe space for honest conversation, Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2019/04/make-your-meetings-a-safe-space-for-honest-conversation (Accessed: April 7, 2023)." </ref>.

It is also important that the team feels safe in order to express exactly what they are thinking. The project manager could ask team members to pay attention to the person talking, take their time to complete their thoughts, ask follow-up questions, and other statements or questions that could increase psychological safety <ref name="Axtell"/>.