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the survival guide for iowa school administrators Boxes, design only
ADMINISTRATOR AS A CHANGE LEADER
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Guidelines for Planning to Implement Change
The following seven-stage change process originally proposed by Gordon and Snowden (1997) can serve as guidelines for an administrator planning to implement a change.
Stage I
Conduct a Needs Assessment
  1. Identify the need for change. Examine the present system to ascertain which aspects need to be improved.
  2. Develop or evaluate and select a new approach or system that will replace the former method.
Stage II
Orient the Target Group to the Proposed Change
  1. Create an awareness of and interest in the proposed innovation on the part of the target group--teachers, for example.
  2. Institute with the target group an examination of the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed change. Pilot-test and refine the new system prior to its introduction.
  3. Identify, with the help of the target group, the commitments that will need to be made in terms of additional resources, in-service training programs, and/or building modifications.
Stage III
Decide Whether to Introduce the Proposed Change
  1. Identify those who should participate in the decision.
  2. Decide on the process by which the decision will be made.
  3. Decide whether to proceed with the implementation of the proposed change.
Stage IV
Plan a Program of Implementation
  1. Plan and carry out a program of in-service education for those involved in the proposed change.
  2. Provide the resources and facilities necessary for successfully introducing the change.
  3. Anticipate and attempt to resolve in advance the operational problems that may be encountered in implementing the proposed innovation.
Stage V
Implement the Proposed Innovation
Stage VI
Conduct In-Process Evaluation
  1. Design and institute a system that will provide feedback on the extent to which the proposed change is accomplishing its objectives.
  2. Diagnose those aspects of the program or its implementation that need improvement.
Stage VII
Refine and Institutionalize the Innovation
  1. Modify the innovation and, if necessary, provide additional orientation, training, resources, facilities, and so forth.
  2. Gain the acceptance of the innovation (if it is successful) as a regular and permanent part of the total educational program in the school or school district. (Cunningham & Cordeiro, 2000, p. 236)
Cunningham & Cirdeiro (2000) state that change proceeds along a continuum. "Initiation might involve conceptualization, awareness, and commitment. Implementation might include development, experimentation, adaptation, and refinement. Finally, institutionalization might involve refocusing, continuation, routinization, or possibly consolidation" (p. 235).


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