Leading change in IT

In a school setting, leading change in IT involves a delicate balance of technical guidance and empathetic support. It is imperative that there is a clear, embedded IT vision in place for the school that has been developed by all key stakeholders and your IT team. Many members of the school team will have a fear of change, this is a natural human emotion that can be handled by the following strategies and will help school staff get to grips with IT changes:

1. Clear Communication:

• Why Change?: Start by clearly explaining why the change is necessary. State clearly how it benefits both the school and the staff.

• Benefits: Highlight the positive impact of the changes on teaching, learning, and administrative tasks.

• Timelines: Provide a clear timeline of the changes, including training dates, implementation phases, and milestones.

2. Training and Workshops:

• Tailored Training: Offer training sessions that are tailored to the specific needs and roles of different staff members.

• Hands-On Workshops: Organise hands-on workshops where staff can practise using new technologies in a safe environment.

• Peer Support: Encourage peer-to-peer learning and support among staff members. Those who grasp the changes quickly can assist others.

3. Feedback and Collaboration:

• Open Channels: Create channels for open feedback, such as suggestion boxes, surveys, or regular meetings.

• Collaborative Tools: Introduce collaborative tools that facilitate communication among staff, such as shared documents or project management platforms.

• Involvement: Involve staff members in decision-making processes related to IT changes whenever possible.

4. Gradual Implementation:

• Pilot Programs: Start with small-scale pilot programs to test new technologies and gather feedback.

• Phased Rollout: Implement changes in phases, allowing staff to gradually adapt to new systems and processes.

• Support Teams: Have dedicated support teams available during the rollout phase to assist staff with any issues or questions.

5. Highlight Success Stories:

• Showcase Results: Share success stories of how other schools or departments have successfully implemented similar changes.

• Recognition: Acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of staff members who have embraced the changes and achieved positive outcomes.

6. Encourage a Growth Mindset:

• Learning Culture: Foster a culture of continuous learning, where it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Patience: Recognize that not everyone will adapt at the same pace, and be patient with staff members as they learn.

7. Accessibility and Support:

• Resources: Provide easily accessible resources, such as user manuals, FAQs, and online tutorials.

• Helpdesk: Establish a dedicated IT helpdesk or support system where staff can reach out for assistance. Your IT team or external provider should have such a system in place already.

• Training Materials: Keep training materials updated and available for staff to reference whenever needed.

8. Leadership Support:

• Lead by Example: Leaders should demonstrate enthusiasm for the changes and actively participate in training sessions.

• Encourage Innovation: Encourage staff to explore new ways of using technology in their roles and recognize innovative ideas.

9. Celebrate Milestones:

• Recognize Achievements: Celebrate milestones in the implementation process, such as successful training completion or the launch of new systems.

• Feedback Loops: Use celebrations as opportunities to gather feedback and insights from staff on what is working well and what can be improved.

10. Follow-Up and Evaluation:

• Post-Implementation Review: After the changes are fully implemented, conduct a thorough review to assess the impact and gather feedback.

• Continuous Improvement: Use feedback from staff to make continuous improvements to IT systems, training programs, and support structures.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a supportive and collaborative environment where school staff feel empowered to embrace IT changes and integrate them effectively into their daily routines. Every school will have a unique approach to these changes. I have always found that working with this set of strategies adoption to change is very positive.

Nigel Milligan

IT Director