When businesses go through significant changes, it’s important for them to communicate effectively with organizational leaders and team members. Whether the change involves a merger, acquisition, new department, or updated technology system, having a clearly defined plan can ensure a smooth transition. If you work in a management or leadership position, then you might be interested in learning about different change management tools. In this article, we explain what change management tools are, provide an overview of their key functions, and list eight popular change management tools you can use to improve an organization.
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What are change management tools?
Change management tools are software applications that organizations use to help them make significant changes in their business. These tools help managers and other company leaders develop processes that make the transition easier for the rest of their team. They also provide action steps, employee feedback options, and accountability features. Using change management tools can help improve communication and increase the long-term success of a business. It can also boost morale and employee retention rates by creating more trust among team members.
Core functions of change management tools
The primary goals of change management tools are to help managers establish strategic plans, communicate with their team members, and track their progress. While the features each change management program offers may vary, there are some common functions you may want to make sure the tool you select includes. A few important functions you might look for when reviewing change management tools include:
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Real-time analytics
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Shared calendar or timeline features
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Risk analysis
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Change alerts
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Centralized file storage space
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Remote access
8 change management tools
There are several change management tools available for businesses to use. The type of change management tool that works best for your organization may vary depending on the size of your company, the industry you work in, and the business objectives. Here are eight popular change management tools you can explore to get started:
1. Whatfix
This interactive digital software platform offers employee onboarding to help team members adjust to significant organizational changes. It also provides ongoing training and interactive walkthroughs to help team members learn how to use new technology programs and processes. This saves managers valuable time and allows employees to learn at their own pace, which can improve productivity. Whatfix offers training materials in a wide variety of formats, including PDFs, videos, screenshots, and slideshows to make information accessible. It also tracks each user’s progress and provides real-time analytics that managers can review. Some of the key benefits of this program include:
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Personalized training and onboarding programs
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Customized analytics dashboard
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Integrated help desk and LMS features
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Dedicated support specialists and account managers
2. StarTeam
StarTeam is a change management tool developed by MicroFocus that helps software development companies improve their delivery process. This tool is an excellent choice for companies that employ a remote workforce. StartTeam’s collaborative environment allows managers to review changes to features, source codes, and other software assets remotely. It also makes it easy to create flexible workflows that improve productivity. Finally, StarTeam allows managers to create processes and requirements, which ensures the quality of their team’s work. Some benefits of the StarTeam change management tool include:
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Impact analysis results
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Change alerts
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Cental data warehouse
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Customizable tracking features
3. BMC Remedy Change Management 9
This IT service management platform created by BMC Software is an excellent solution for IT departments undergoing significant changes. Remedy Change Management 9 helps teams document and coordinate each phase of the change management process. Company leaders and managers can use this program to develop change plans, review employee requests, and track their team’s overall progress. Users can access Remedy Change Management 9 on their computers, smartphones, or mobile devices, which makes it easy for everyone to stay connected. Some of the key benefits of this program include:
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Customizable dashboard
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Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) compliant processes
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Self-service portal
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Impact analytics
4. Rocket Aldon
Rocket Aldon is a multi-platform change management software program that offers end-to-end configuration. Designed to help development teams overcome process changes, this tool provides real-time analytics and makes it easy for several users to access files at the same time. Companies can also pair this tool with the Application Lifestyle Management (ALM) enterprise solution, which helps managers automate change management and software delivery processes. Some primary benefits of Rocket Aldon include:
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IT workflow automation
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Central inventory storage for application components
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Development distribution
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Multiple site development distribution
5. Giva eChangeManager
This tool is a part of Giva’s larger Service Management Suite. It offers a complete reporting system, KPI tracking, and analytics. As a cloud-based application, eChangeManager makes it easy for managers and team members to access the application remotely. It also offers point-and-click customizable features that allow professionals who don’t have a programming background to easily configure the application to meet their organization’s needs. Some of the primary benefits of Giva eChangeManager include:
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ITIL compliant processes
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Customizable screens, fields, features, and business rules
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Automatic notifications via email, pager, PDA, or cell phone
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File storage and change records
6. ChangeGear Change Manager
This change management tool provides managers with advanced controls and automated features to make it easy for them to update processes. While many industries can use ChangeGear Change Manager, IT, DevOps, and business organizations may find it the most beneficial. This is because ChangeGear Change Manager can help organizations identify bottlenecks, decrease risks, and simplify processes. Some of the key benefits of using ChangeGear Change Manager include:
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Approval routing automation
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SLA change management
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Customizable change manager dashboards
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Distributed development
7. ServiceNow Change and Release Management
This change management tool is an excellent solution for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises. It includes a customizable dashboard and calendar that helps managers share each change management phase with their teams and track their progress. This can help improve communication and increase productivity. The ServiceNow Change and Release Management application also helps managers develop a systematic approach to each change initiative so they can map out its entire life cycle. Some of the main benefits the ServiceNow Change and Release Management application offers include:
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Dynamic impact and risk calculation
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Full integration with other ServiceNow applications
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Centralized record system
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Integrated change calendar
8. Freshservice
Freshservice helps IT companies manage their assets and track important changes. It also offers reporting features and release management options. Freshservice is an excellent option for companies who already use Freshdesk because it integrates seamlessly with this platform. Freshservice and Freshdesk also work well with Freshsales for companies that want to track their revenue. A few of the key benefits of this change management application include:
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Risk mitigation
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Change planning and tracking features
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Change rollback options
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Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings
I hope you find this article helpful.