Enhancing project management with human-focused change management principles
Hapag-Lloyd AG, a global leader in shipping and container transportation, embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its adaptability to rapidly evolving customer needs. Recognising the pivotal role of change management in achieving high-impact project management, Hapag Lloyd partnered with CLP to create the Hapag Lloyd Change World.
Challenge:
Being the fourth-largest shipping company globally, Hapag Lloyd faces the challenge of managing the increasing pace and complexity of change in the industry. Maintaining their position as the top choice for quality by customers necessitates the ability to swiftly adapt products and processes. Among other things, this requires a focus on the human aspects of project management, emphasising the engagement and commitment of their people.
Solution:
The Hapag Lloyd Change World: To address these challenges, Hapag Lloyd, with support from CLP, developed the ‘Change World’ initiative – an online resource and a cornerstone of Hapag Lloyd’s Change Management Framework. This innovative approach integrated change management principles with industry-specific terminology, using internal language and terms to create a relatable and engaging framework.
Key Components of the Change World:
1. Customised change management standards:
- Hapag Lloyd now has at their fingertips their own change management models tailored to suit the unique needs of their logistical business.
- Industry-wide change management models have been redefined, incorporating internal language, whilst change roles familiar within the organisation have been identified.
- To further enhance understanding and engagement, illustrations in the HLAG corporate identity have been created.
2. Bespoke self-diagnostic for managers:
- The cornerstone of Hapag Lloyd’s Change World is a customised online self-diagnostic designed to help managers identify the status quo and progress of their change projects. This is a huge step forward, providing those leading change with the resources they need, when they need them.
3. Tailor-made change tools:
- A range of practical tools to help with scenarios such as managing stakeholders or dealing with resistance have been curated specifically for the Change World.
- Each tool comes with easy-to-follow instructions and is supported by practical tips and additional learning resources.
4. Innovative design process:
- Recognising the diverse nature of their business, the Change World initiative has been designed with the help of HR experts across various countries and languages, including Germany, UK, Peru, UAE, USA and China.
- Throughout the design process, the Change World has been proactively prototyped and iteratively introduced at all levels of management, showcasing a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to the development of a change management framework as a sustainable change project in itself.
5. Supported by multi-method training measures:
- Interactive online and face-to-face workshops using Change World resources are targeted at different management levels to facilitate hands-on learning and application of Hapag Lloyd change management principles.
- Working with games platform Actee, CLP has comprehensively customised an engaging online change simulation specifically for Hapag Lloyd that builds on and enhances the resources of the Change World, creating a safe environment for managers to experiment with different change measures.
- CLP has also specifically created video tutorials for Hapag Lloyd using Change World resources to support managers in using the platform autonomously to drive their own change projects.
Outcomes:
1. Improved Change Management Capabilities:
- Hapag Lloyd’s managers are now empowered to lead change sustainably by enhancing their existing project management skills with a people-oriented approach.
- The Change World provides managers at all levels a structured framework for planning, implementing and consolidating their change projects at their own pace and according to their own needs.
2. Enhanced Engagement:
- The use of internal language, relatable content and linking to existing resources means that the Change World is seen as a supportive add-on to current project management standards.
- The availability and flexibility of elements such as the interactive change self-diagnostic have increased engagement and commitment to this initiative.
3. Continuous Improvement:
- The proactive prototyping and iterative introduction still allows for continuous improvement, ensuring that the Change World initiative remains dynamic and responsive to evolving needs of the organisation.
The Hapag Lloyd Change World, facilitated by CLP, stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, employee engagement and adaptability in a rapidly changing industry.
By integrating leading change management principles with their own industry-specific language and tools, Hapag Lloyd has not only maintained its position as a quality leader but has also set new standards for the shipping industry as a whole. And by introducing the Change World in an iterative way using the practical experience and word-of-mouth communication of change practitioners, Hapag Lloyd is showcasing how to ‘walk the talk’ in implementing human-centred change management!
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