C721 – Change Management Task Tips

These tips and resources will help you successfully demonstrate competency for each
section of the performance task. Do not use Generative AI texts as this may negatively
influence your evaluation and similarity score. Scenario: (pay attention to the bold parts
as you work on your paper!)
You have been hired as a change management consultant for a manufacturing
company. The leadership of the company currently uses a top-down management
approach. The organizational structure is a hierarchy (pyramid type). Employees
are not encouraged to be creative or make suggestions or decisions. They are
also not encouraged to experiment and come up with new solutions to problems.

The company has grown rapidly over the past decade, from generating $1 million
in sales to $100 million. In the past year, the company expanded its business
internationally and now has 500 employees worldwide. Due to the rapid growth of
the company, the organization has not invested in training and development
opportunities for its employees to drive innovation and process improvements.
Additionally, the company’s processes and software systems for inventory
management have become antiquated.

As the change management consultant, you will provide a report for the executive
leadership team where you diagnose the need for change and explain how to plan for
change, how to implement change, and how to sustain change. You will also explain
how the company can transition to a learning organization in order to be on the
forefront of change and innovation.

Please review the following Video as you start the task: C721 Change Management
Task Intro Video
Requirements:

Your submission must be your original work. No more than a combined total of 30% of
the submission and no more than a 10% match to any one individual source can be
directly quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, even if cited correctly.

You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides
detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may
be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain
hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course.

A recommended framework you can follow when answering the task prompts
would be to:
 Briefly state what the concept/model is and explain what it means/represents…
 How can it be applied based on why the company needs to change…
 Answer a how/what/why question (How can it be used to become a learning
org.? What impact/benefit it will have to the organization? Why will it
work?)
 Section A

Please review the following Video as you work on Section A: C721 Change
Management Task Section A Video

Task Question A= Discuss the need for change for the company in the scenario
using either the systems contingency model or the organizational life cycle
model.
Competent= The discussion accurately describes the need for change for the
company in the scenario using either the systems contingency model or the
organizational life cycle model.
Tip= This is the first part of the task, and often the most challenging to get started on
since you are asked to pick a model of change that you may not be familiar with (Note
that you can start on any section of the task and do not have to start at A). Pick
either the Systems Contingency or the Organizational Lifecycle Model based on which
one you think makes the most sense to you.

While explaining the entire model is nice, do so only briefly as you want to focus most
of your attention on what you picked and why (see framework above). If you go with
the Systems Contingency model, explain at least one input, one transformation that
must happen, and how at least one of the outputs will be affected by this change.

If you pick the Org Lifecycle Model, focus on the stage they are in and go through the
framework mentioned above to justify your choice. Remember that the scenario
company is a decade old and doing well, so it is not just starting out but does hopefully
have many more years to go! Section 2, Lessons 1.2, 1.3 Diagnosing
Organizations for Change… will have further info and to find the graphics below on
each of the models.
 Checklist for Section A= Did you discuss the need for change in the
scenario company using either the Systems Contingency Model OR the
Organizational Lifecycle Model? Were you clear in explaining the how, what
and/or why one of these models will help the company become a learning
organization?
 Section B

Please review the following Video as you work on Section B: C721 Change
Management Task Section B Video

Task Question B= Describe the differences between a learning organization and

a traditional organization.

Competent= The description accurately identifies differences between a learning

organization and a traditional organization.

Tip= This section has several moving parts, so use the template to keep track! There
are significant differences between a traditional organization and a learning
organization. In their most basic form, a traditional organization assumes that what
has worked in the past will continue to work in the present and the future.
Whereas, learning organizations develop internal structures that can respond to
change and help organizational members behave proactively. The purpose is to
empower members at all levels to accept change as a positive part of the
organization's existence. Look to Section 6 Lesson 1.4 Characteristics of Learning
Organizations for more information on this topic.

 Checklist for Section B= Did you discuss/give 2 clear examples of how a

traditional organization differs from a learning organization?

Task Question B1= Identify which stage of Woolner’s 5-stage model the
company is currently in.

Competent= The identified stage of Woolner’s 5-stage model is accurate for the
company from the scenario.

Task Question B1a= Explain why the company is currently in the identified stage
of Woolner’s 5-stage model.

Competent= The identified stage of Woolner’s 5-stage model is accurate for the
company from the scenario.
Tip= In B1, you will need to choose which of Woolner’s 5 stages the company is in,
again keeping in mind the information given from the scenario company (it is a decade
old and doing well- think why you were hired as a consultant!). For B1a, you need to
explain why you picked the stage that you did; a good paragraph or so should do it and
again use the framework to justify your answer; Section 6 Lesson 2.4 Managing a
Learning Organization will have more information on this model along with the
graphic below.

 Checklist for Section B1= This section simply requires you to state which
stage of Woolner’s Model you believe the company is in.
 Checklist for Section B1a= Did you explain the reasons/evidence behind
the stage that you picked in B1?

Figure 1- Woolner's 5 Stages

Task Question B2= Explain how the company from the scenario would use
Senge’s 5 disciplines to become a learning organization.

Competent= The explanation accurately identifies each of Senge’s 5 disciplines and

logically discusses how the company would use each of the identified disciplines to
become a learning organization.
Tip= For B2 you will need to explain how the scenario company would use each of
Senge’s 5 Disciplines to become a learning organization. Remember to clearly identify
each- make it easy for the evaluation team to find your answers and so a separate
paragraph on each makes sense. Use Section 6, Lesson 2.1, Managing a Learning
Organization for this prompt.

 Checklist for Section B2= Did you list each of Senge’s 5 Disciplines and
were you clear in explaining the how, what and/or why each of these
Disciplines will help the company become a learning organization?

Figure 2- Senge's 5 Disciplines

 Section C

Please review the following Video as you work on Section C: C721 Change
Management Task Section C Video

Task Question C= Identify the end result and the nature of change to take the
company from a traditional organization to a learning organization using
Balogun and Hope-Hailey’s model.

Competent= The end result and nature of change are each correctly identified using
Balogun and Hope-Hailey’s model.

Task Question C1= Explain why the end result and nature of change would be
appropriate for the company in the scenario using Balogun and Hope-Hailey’s
model.

Competent= The explanation logically discusses why both the end result and nature of
change identified in part C would be appropriate for the company in the scenario using
Balogun and Hope-Hailey’s model.

Tip= The Balogun and Hope-Hailey Model is straightforward if you use the following
tips and graphic as you work on this part of the task. Start by using the graphic of the
model in Section 1, Lesson 2.6, Models and Approaches of Change Organizations
and decide which one of the 4 quadrants the company should use to get to a
learning organization. While any of the quadrants should be accepted if justified,
remember that the company is doing well otherwise and so as the consultant, what
type of change makes the most sense? Once you settle on the quadrant, state the
corresponding Nature of Change and End Result. For C1 you should then clearly
explain these 2 parts using (once again) the framework that answers the how, why,
and what questions.
 Checklist for Section C= Did you pick one quadrant from the Balogun and
Hope-Hailey Model and write the corresponding Nature of Change and End
Result?
 Checklist for Section C1= In this section, be sure that you have explained
the Nature of Change and End Result clearly, again keeping in mind the
how, what and/or why it will affect the scenario company.
 Section D

Please review the following Video as you work on Section D: C721 Change
Management Task Section D Video

Task Question D= Discuss how four steps of the action research model could be
applied to the change process (traditional organization to learning organization)
for the company in the scenario.

Competent= The discussion accurately identifies 4

steps of the action research model and logically
describes how each step could be applied to the
change process for the company in the scenario.

Tip= Since you are supposed to be the Change

Management consultant, prompt D will have you
pick any 4 of the 9 steps in the Action Research
Model found in Section 2, Lesson 2.2, Planning
Approaches for Change in the course. This
section is relatively straightforward as you want to
take those 4 steps and explain/describe how each
of the 4 steps can be applied to the scenario
company as per the task rubric. Once again,
answer the how, why, and what questions-- as well
as make it clear as to which steps you are
choosing-- and you should be good to go.

 Checklist for Section D= Did you pick 4 of the 9 Action Plan steps in the
model and explain the how, what and/or why they are important to affecting
change to a learning organization in the scenario company?
 Section E

Please review the following Video as you work on Section E: C721 Change
Management Task Section E Video

Task Question E= Recommend two innovation strategies that management could

use to transition the company in the scenario from a traditional organization to a
learning organization.

Competent= The 2 innovation strategies recommended for management are logical

and appropriate for transitioning the company in the scenario from a traditional
organization to a learning organization.

Task Question E1= Explain how one recommended innovation strategy would be
used by management in the company's change process.

Competent= The explanation logically discusses how an innovation strategy

recommended in part E would be used by management in the company's change
process.

Tip= For this prompt, you will want to use the “Innovation Strategies for Changing
Products and Technologies” figure/graphic (see below) and explanations in Section 3,
Lesson 1.6, Innovation and Organizational Change and first, pick 2 of the strategies
that you would recommend for the company, and then in part E1 you will discuss how
management could use one of these strategies in their change process. Again, you
only need to explain 1 of these strategies so be focused and concise.
 Checklist for Section E= For this section, you only need to write a sentence
on which of the 2 strategies you picked from the “Innovation Strategies for
Changing Products and Technologies” figure/graphic in the text. (Do not
simply write “Innovation” as a strategy)!
 Checklist for Section E1= Did you explain how one of the strategies in E
can help the company in the transition to a learning organization?
 Section F

Please review the following Video as you work on Section F : C721 Change
Management Task Section F Video

Task Question F= Discuss how four steps of Kotter’s 8-step model could be
applied to the change process for the company in the scenario.

Competent= The discussion accurately identifies 4 steps of Kotter’s 8-step model and
logically describes how each step could be applied to the change process for the
company in the scenario.

Tip= Kotter’s “8-steps to leading change” model probably appeared in several other
courses you have had prior to this one, although Section 2, Lesson 2.4, Planning
Approaches for Change should help as a refresher as needed. Like in prompt D, you
will want to choose any 4 of the 8 steps in Kotter’s model and describe how each of
those 4 can be applied to the change process for the scenario company. Yes, this
section should also answer the key questions and you want to probably also separate
out each step to make it clear for evaluation as to which ones you are explaining.

 Checklist for Section F= Did you pick 4 of Kotter’s 8 Steps and explain the
how, what and/or why the scenario company can use these 4 to change to
a learning organization based on the scenario company specifics?
 Section G

Please review the following Video as you work on Section G: C721 Change
Management Task Section G Video

Task Question G= Explain how each of the five pillars of sustainable change
could be applied to sustain the learning organization environment of the
company in the scenario.

Competent= The explanation logically discusses how each of the five pillars of
sustainable change could be applied to sustain the learning organization environment
of the company in the scenario.
Tip= Last-but-not-least, this last section will again have you explain how each part of a
change model can be applied to the scenario company given to you in the task. This
time, you are explaining the 5 Pillars of Sustainable Change found in Section 5,
Lesson 1.2, Leadership for Sustaining Change (see below for summary). And yes,
you guessed it, follow the same guidelines mentioned for other prompts in which you
must list out and justify/explain different steps of a certain change model. Hang in
there, while it may seem redundant by now, you are almost finished!

Leadership – Leaders, as integrators, orchestrators, and strategists, have a primary

role in keeping the strategy, culture, structure, and systems of the organization in
alignment.
Strategy – Strategic positioning is key in order to preserve what is distinctive about a
company. This refers to performing different activities from rivals or performing similar
activities in different ways.
Culture – Strong cultures exist when there is unified and supported understanding and
perspective on who the organization is, what it stands for, and how it functions.
Structure – Integrated communication and shared knowledge within the structure
increases operational efficiencies and helps the organization manage change.
Systems – The availability of accurate, timely data is often the make-or-break factor in
an organization’s capacity for change.
 Checklist for Section G= For this last section, you will again want to be
sure that you clearly state each of the 5 Pillars and explain the how, what
and/or why each of these will help the company sustain the change they
are looking for in becoming a learning organization?
 Section H

H. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that
is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

Competent= The submission includes in-text citations for sources that are properly
quoted, paraphrased, or summarized and a reference list that accurately identifies the
author, date, title, and source location as available.

Tip= Be sure to include any references for your paper, and you will want to use the
course materials at a minimum (already included in the template in Course Tips).

I. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of

your submission.

Competent= Content reflects attention to detail, is organized, and focuses on the main
ideas as prescribed in the task or chosen by the candidate. Terminology is pertinent, is
used correctly, and effectively conveys the intended meaning. Mechanics, usage, and
grammar promote accurate interpretation and understanding.
Tip= Always review grammar and punctuation with a program like Grammarly, etc. to
make sure you did not miss too much and have the paper sent back for communication
issues!

Please Contact the WGU Writing Center for assistance with writing the task and citing
materials as needed.