Major U.S. Auto Manufacturer Change Management Strategy and Roadmap

Overview

The client—a U.S.-based multinational auto manufacturer—had in recent years started turning its focus to manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) and building digital experience tools for consumers. 

The client turned to Simatree to help them develop a change management strategy and transformation roadmap for key stakeholder groups involved in transitioning to a heavily digital experience that ultimately changed information access for the consumer as well as the company and its dealers. Simatree delivered a strategy for the roll out of new digital products, focusing on sponsorship, communications, training, resistance management, and performance management. Simatree leveraged industry best practices and expertise in change management, coupled with proven project management methodologies, to ensure the appropriate steps, decencies, and cadence were followed.  

The Solution & Benefits

To prepare for the change management initiative, Simatree conducted working sessions with the client leadership team regarding the change and leadership’s understanding of the magnitude of its impact on stakeholders. Simatree then conducted a change management gap assessment to identify stakeholder groups and likely pockets of resistance, as well as understand performance incentives for each stakeholder group. From these efforts, Simatree developed a change management strategy and roadmap for the development, deployment, and adoption of digital experience tools.  

Simatree also produced a Change Readiness Guide, which outlined a framework for identifying and prioritizing stakeholder groups for deployment and a plan to identify and train leaders and change agents. Simatree also supported leadership by producing communication guidance around key messaging for incentives, stakeholder training materials, and tools for measuring value and monitoring adoption. To support adoption, Simatree drafted a resource plan to sequence all activities against a repeatable timeline with defined support roles, proposed a multi-disciplinary team to accomplish the work, and developed a risk tracking mechanism. At the same time, Simatree produced and monitored a full Gantt chart to implement targeted approaches for each area of the project workplan.  

Simatree’s change management guidance was informed through best practices established by the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Standard for Change Management, PROSCI, LaMarsh, and research developed with George Mason University.