“Why change deployment frequency?” That’s the question everyone who has made any type of business deployment wants to know. The first and most important answer to that question is this: Businesses do not always have an immediate need for making changes to their process. In other words, there may be times when a small amount of change is not particularly risky or expensive. However, the same may also occur down the road when things change. Thus, it’s important to understand when making any type of change should occur and how long to wait before making those types of changes.
Any change to a process requires resources. When we speak of “resource”, we are talking about human capital. Without good human capital, any changes to any process will likely be slow, agonizing, and expensive. Any time there is significant loss of human capital, that process tends to be “restarted” at a slower pace with higher costs. This is just one of the dynamics that can make deployment a painful exercise.
Why change deployment frequency? Some analysts believe that the only reason businesses make any type of change to their process is to gain an edge over their competitors. By changing the frequency of deployment, they hope to gain a competitive advantage by being able to respond more quickly to market changes. Others view any type of change as being positive because it results in increased efficiencies. Still others view any changes as being negative because such changes typically result in higher operational costs.
To better understand the debate, let’s explore the common reasons companies make such changes. One reason is to respond quickly to market changes. Most businesses respond to customer needs by improving process efficiencies. However, some processes may need to be changed or streamlined in order to meet anticipated future demand. And, in the case of some businesses, to be able to continue to provide competitive advantages without being too disruptive to the existing process.
Another reason why some processes are changed sooner than others is to gain a competitive advantage. Many companies make their moves to become more efficient and lower their overall cost base before they look at process improvements. Companies with a history of being on top of market trends are often able to take advantage of these changes sooner. The results from these actions can be significant because these companies can often respond to market changes by producing or delivering products or services much faster than their competitors. This can lead to better sales, more efficient customer service, and more rapid growth.
However, some experts argue that these same factors lead to slower growth and lower profits in companies that make constant changes to their processes. It’s true that constant deployment is less desirable for an organization’s bottom line because it results in a higher level of cost. But, a company that is able to quickly and effectively deploy change can deliver dramatic results through quicker customer satisfaction, higher productivity, and a more dynamic operational environment. Changing the deployment frequency of an operational process has the potential to drive big benefits for a business.
So what should a company consider when choosing a change management strategy? There are many considerations that should be made in deciding how often to change should be made. When changing a business process, managers must first determine if the benefits will outweigh the costs. Some examples include new requirements that are faster or need a different approach. Furthermore, when the objective of a change is linked to a competitive advantage, the benefits must also be taken into account. The final criteria for choosing an appropriate change management frequency involves analyzing the organizational culture, business objectives, and operational processes.
So, why change deployment frequency results in big gains for a company? These considerations help managers choose the frequency of deployment that’s right for the business. These considerations also help businesses identify the frequency that best suits their goals. Achieving a successful change management strategy requires that managers understand the importance of deploying change with proper frequency and execute it with care.
